Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/1010967.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Major_Character_Death, Rape/Non-Con,
      Underage
  Category:
      F/M, M/M, F/F
  Fandom:
      Homestuck
  Relationship:
      Terezi_Pyrope/Vriska_Serket, Calliope/Roxy_Lalonde, Gamzee_Makara/Tavros
      Nitram
  Character:
      Vriska_Serket, Terezi_Pyrope, Dave_Strider, Karkat_Vantas, Kanaya_Maryam,
      Meenah_Peixes, Lord_English, Equius_Zahhak, Kankri_Vantas, Nepeta_Leijon,
      Meulin_Leijon, The_Disciple_(Homestuck), The_Signless_|_The_Sufferer,
      Gamzee_Makara, Rose_Lalonde, Roxy_Lalonde, Calliope_(Homestuck), Jade
      Harley, Dirk_Strider, Jake_English, Eridan_Ampora, Snowman_(Homestuck),
      Horuss_Zahhak, Redglare, John_Egbert, Damara_Megido, Cronus_Ampora,
      Kurloz_Makara, Spinneret_Mindfang, Porrim_Maryam, Rufioh_Nitram, Jane
      Crocker, Dad_Egbert, Grandpa_Harley, Aradia_Megido
  Additional Tags:
      Triggers, Tragedy, Humanstuck, Character_Death, Drug_Use, Sadstuck, Bad
      Puns, Time_Travel
  Stats:
      Published: 2013-10-20 Updated: 2014-12-22 Chapters: 33/? Words: 50543
****** One Shade Cooler ******
by sleepingDemon
Summary
     Au where Vriska is OP.
Notes
     First fic.
See the end of the work for more notes
***** Prologue *****
The timeless world
Mrs._Protagonist,_save_everyone's_stupid_ass===>
“Run.”
 
“We can’t just leave you behind!”
 
“Yes, you guys can, Pyrope; you all have done it before!”
 
“I just got you back! There’s no way I’m going to let you go again!” Rather
than the expected tears forming in the eyes that I blinded not too long ago,
her eyes were spewing sparks of anger. Her hands reached up and clasped my
shoulders as she looked at the white of my eyes. Those were the same hands that
caused the loss of my pupils. “Three years ago...” she paused as if that
incident hurt her more than it hurt me. “I don’t want to end up losing you
again!”
 
“Look, none of you can help me here!” I yelled with the attempt of being heard
through the tumult of crumbling walls. “While all of you were off on your
adventure through Can Town, I was in the dream bubbles training my ass off! And
you think you can help in this battle, Pyrope?”
 
“I’m still alive aren’t I?” she sneered, about half of her 32 identical fangs
leering at me through the crack of her frown.
 
“Fuck!” I yelled, stretching out the 'u' in eight long syllables. “Strider,
Vantas, get her out of here!”
 
Dave took off his broken shades, shoving it in his sylladex. He glanced at
Karkat as if to ask if it was smart to listen to me. Karkat gave an annoying
shrug to share his unclarity on the matter; it wasn’t a matter of helping me,
but rather, he wasn’t sure if they could get Terezi out of here in the first
place.
 
Dave had cuts and bruises all over his body. His god tier outfit was intact,
but the blood dyed the red garment an even darker red. He was healing slowly –
slower than usual - and it seemed his time abilities were becoming useless. I
heard from Aradia that exhaustion is an actual thing for players of time.
Karkat wasn’t any better; he was bloody, his mutant red blood visible, and
beautifully illuminating, on his black, torn shirt.
 
Yes, I did expect a human and a Troll, both with possible dislocated shoulders,
cracked ribs, and bloody, well, everything, to carry a seven sweep old vicious
and seemingly healthy - although covered with wounds - Troll onto a ship
directed towards Earth while leaving me behind in the process.
 
Bite me.
 
It did surprise me, however, when they did what I asked. Karkat, being, not the
weakest but, the most wounded of the two, couldn’t do much but help Dave grab
Terezi; the way Troll Shrek grabbed Troll Fiona in that one movie that Karkat
made me watch, title too long to be expressed right at this moment, but I
believe the human equivalent was simply dubbed ‘Shrek’. In this situation Dave
was Shrek and Karkat was Donkey; Fiona was obviously Terezi. For some reason I
didn’t think the role matched her at all, but I digress.
 
Terezi tried fighting Dave and Karkat, hitting them both, yelling and snarling
back at me, to no avail, and to my surprise. I didn’t expect Dave, a human, to
possess the ability to carry an semi-fully grown Troll. Then again, he did seem
to have trouble while doing so, then I guess that is where Karkat came in. I
smiled at the thought of Karkat being an Equus africanus asinus, or, in
Alternian terms, a demented hoofbeast. However, I frowned when Terezi’s eyes
met my own.
 
I turned away so she couldn’t see that strange look my eyes bore at that
moment, because, fuck! Why did that dancestor of mine give Terezi her eyesight
back?  No, more like, why did Aranea even agree to my favor of giving Terezi
her eyesight back? Like seriously, what was I thinking? I, for one, neverask
for favors. It’s times like these where I say ‘fuck you’ to guilt eight times
in a row because that bitch-of-a-platonic-hate-friend-due-to-a-temporary-truce-
we-made wasn’t even grateful for her newfound eyesight!
 
The floor shook violently, and I almost toppled over, except, I never topple
over.
 
I glanced back to see a few of my allies remaining. Meenah, Kanaya, John, and
Equius were only some of the many willing to risk their lives to win this so
called ‘game’. Many of the doomed timeline Trolls had already served their
purpose, leaving only what I assumed where the original alive timeline Trolls
and humans, with a few exceptions for the alive part, such as yours truly.
 
Even though our numbers had dwindled since the start of this strife, we still
had an advantage in quantity; outnumbering our single, final foe. However,
there was no way we could beat the final boss; none of us were ready. Lord
English had us all fooled and our overconfident asses got us all pulled into a
trap - mostly due to the trust some of us had in Gamzee.
 
“What are you all doing here?” I growled loudly back at those who decided that
they should stand and fight together with me. These losers never know when to
quit. “Get the fuck out of here!”
 
“Vris-”
 
“Shut up and go!” I yelled. “Where is that trust you all had in me? I had to
deal with so many irons, with an equal amount of fires, in order to get this
far! I am stronger than all of you and I can handle this guy on my own! Now go
on that ship and leave this fight to the pro!” I ended my words with a smirk
that would even make The Condesce feel proud. Slowly, but surely, Trolls and
humans alike started leaving until two stubborn and troublesome accomplices
were left.
 
“Girl, we are in this together,” Meenah said with acrimony, while walking
towards me in annoyance. The anger she held right at that moment felt unusual
to the normal carefree attitude she showed when we decided to give up on
winning this game. “We had a braided truce; so don’t go glubbin' saying that we
got to leave you-”
 
“Leave,” I said coldly.
 
My powers had grown from when I was dead, since being dead means I had no
limitations and I couldn't feel pain (at least, not much pain), the
possibilities were infinite. So during the three years I was dead, and through
training and lessons from Aranea, I found tricks on how to control people of
higher blood caste than I. Although I disliked mind controlling those I found
it in me to consider friends, I usually found acceptable and liable excuses for
reassurance of committing such deeds. Although for a short time period, the
highblood screamed obscurities at me as I led her away to where I found slow
lowbloods to help with the dragging of the highblood. With the reassurance of
low caste minds to handle the dreadful and stubborn ally, I turned my attention
to the next aversion.
 
“You should go as well, Fussyfangs,” I said to Kanaya. “There’s nothing you can
do to help me in this situation. Nothing you do, or say, will help; we’re not
morails anymore. Besides, don’t you have a fellow light player waiting for
you?” I asked, raising and lowering my eyebrows profusely. She stayed a while
before telling me-
 
“Good luck.”
 
“Oh, please,” I said stretching out both words evenly. “I’ve got all the luck.
All of it, remember?” With that said, she turned and started walking away, at
first hesitantly, then later with false confidence. Before she left, however, I
added.
 
“Tell Captor to lift off when all the Trolls and humans board....” She stopped.
“Don’t wait for me.”
 
“Is that all?”
 
“Tell... that I...” It was difficult to open my mouth and have my vocal cords
release a sound that would eventually project that one word. Fuck. “Tell her
that she is a fuck up and should consider screwing herself in the near future.”
Kanaya, fortunately, understood what I meant.
 
“I will,” she said and hastily walked away left. Even though she only said two
words, I could automatically tell she was crying. At least, that’s what I kept
telling myself. Don’t judge me; I simply used her possible tears as motivation.
 
I turned back only to stare straight into the colorful eyes of Lord English
himself, emerging from the hallway in front of this room. We managed to
decapitate him, and then abscond, ending up in what seemed like a ballroom with
walls painted a vomit-colored green.
 
The large man was at least eight times taller than I - his power level seemed
to also mimic his height advantage. His eyes glared at me, possibly at my soul,
which is ironic considering that I'm already dead. His green skin seemed as one
of a reptile; cold and hard; just like his personality.
 
He was a tough foe to defeat.
 
I rolled my dice, all eight falling out of my grasp onto the hard floor covered
in bodies of doomed timeline Trolls, humans, and robots. In addition to the
bodies, there was blood everywhere; the floor painted an ugly brown due to the
mixture of all the colors. I hoped my luck wouldn’t fail me and my dice would
give me a good roll. Although, I knew it wouldn’t matter if I got a good roll -
there was no way I could beat English on my own. I was only sticking around
because, well, if I wasn’t, those whom I mustered enough strength to call
'friends' wouldn’t manage to escape.
 
Seven of the eight die scattered to a halt, all displaying that lucky digit of
eight. The remaining die span its final round, and eventually to a halt,
suddenly possessing the ability to change a fate already decided under the
hands of a certain slick bastard. The die radiated a warm white, surrounded by
light cerulean sparks. The clothes grew on me, light blinding not only my
adversary, but also those blinded by death. A sharp blue blade appeared upon my
hands, being gripped by the ghostly fingers of enmity. I only took one step
forward, but even so, I felt newfound power surging though my body like
electricity.
 
 I decided that it was a favorable roll, the result bringing out an ancestral
awakening of a pirate whose name would strike fear in the worthiest of
opponents; but the glory of such a role didn't feel satisfying. The antagonist
wasn't the type to patiently wait for the anti-hero's preparation. He attacked
first and although I dodged a direct hit, I was still hurt by the pressure.
 
By the time I got my bearings back, I was hit once again, this time directly,
and sent flying to the nearest wall - which was about four meters away. It took
me a whole eight seconds to get back up, but as I did, I started coughing out
the distasteful cerulean blood. The pain my insides held was near unbearable,
but standing up still seemed possible at that moment.
 
I charged at my adversary, only to be knocked down again. The blue blade flew
out of my grasp to landed a few feet away from me. Hilt in the air while the
edge pierced the earth. The villainous man took his time even though he didn’t
need to worry about running out of it. He was made of time; a true player of
time, as he over ranked the one in my session and the one in John’s session.
 
I got up again, coughing out more blood than before. My body slowly started
feeling numb and staying awake became difficult - simply breathing felt
difficult. Yet, the change of senses from the numbness of my body gave me the
ability to track my wounds; more serious wounds being beyond torpid than
lighter ones. Those I couldn’t feel were presumptively not attached to my body.
The only part of my body that felt this way, however, was the left side of my
face. I marked it as cowardly to reach up and feel the burned tissue encasing
half of my face. I assured myself that I would inspect all my wounds after the
battle, although I wasn’t entirely positive that there would even be an
‘after’.
 
I dived for my blue blade, but when I reached it, I was hit again.
 
Wait- what?
 
That’s not right; I actually did grab it. There was a jump, and a blinding red
as the blade slashed through the cherubs titan-like neck, but when I jumped
back to prepare for another offensive strike, it all faded to black for an
instant. I heard faint susurrations, and although quiet, they echoed in my
eardrums.
 
By the time I realized what had happened, I was back at the cognition of half
my face being gone. My blade was also a few feet away from me again. Perplexed
about the current situation, I made the mistake of diving for my blade, exactly
how I did so in another timeline. ThenI was hit. I placed my left hand on the
ground and skid to a halt. I later found that to be a horrible idea as the skin
on my left palm was ripped off along with the rest of my pride.
 
The building shook, making the task of lying in one place excessively difficult
with the amount of debris from the already crumbling walls crashing down on the
only floor available for balance; which was a pile of corpses anyway. The
pressure of both Mituna’s and Sollux’s powers vibrated even the tiniest cells
in my body. I smiled for the first time in a long time, thankful that the
humans and Trolls I considered my allies were finally leaving the abhorrent
void. The thought of standing for at least eight more minutes, before letting
my body join the many corpses already littered across the floor, felt possible
with the newfound motivation. At least I hoped eight minutes would be enough
time to aid their escape.
 
So then I guess I needed to stand for eight more minutes, or else Lord English
would get to them. I saw my tall adversary stumble at the shaking of the
building. I took advantage of his moment of dawdle and charged at him.
 
My name is Vriska Serket and I’m currently charging into my possible death.
 
Fortunately, bitches don’t die that easily... 
***** Ring *****
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 - 5:50 AM
Ring===>
Ring? What? What the fuck is that suppose to mean? How can I rin-
 
The unfamiliar ringing of a phone burned my tired eardrums as I jerked upward
in bed. I grabbed the ringing, while simultaneously vibrating, appliance,
flipped it open, and checked to see what type of advertisement would be bugging
me so early in the morning. I found it in me to feel surprised that there
actually was no call - just a morning phone alarm. I looked at the time
displayed on the cerulean colored cellular device. In bold, white letters the
time was displayed as a time I would normally be sleeping at on Alternia: five-
fifty Ante Meridiem.
 
Today is the first day of school - as in the first day for me since it was
already October and school started two months ago - so I decided to get ready a
bit early; hence the early alarm set the night before.  Today also marks the
week since I was discharged from the hospital. Why was I hospitalized? I don’t
know; figure it out yourself.
 
Only two months before my hospitalization, I was sent to Earth by Lord English
to stop the ongoing game to revive the Troll race. Technically speaking, yes;
Lord English and I are in cahoots with each other. On other news, there were
twenty three more days until the human equivalent of my Alternian Solar Sweep;
my ‘birthday’, as humans call it.
 
I sat up in my bed, slowly pushing the safe fort of blankets off with bare and
scarred feet. With one hand holding me upright, I used the other as an attempt
to feel for my glasses. I also glanced around the blurry room for my misplaced
spectacles, but only managed to detect minor blurs of my cerulean wallpaper, to
which I painted amid the sorrow of missing blood. My hand gradually skimmed
across a glass surface – to what I assumed where my black framed bifocals -
placed upon a small desk uncomfortably placed aside this maligned divan. I
grabbed the possible utensil for eye assistance and gently smashed it on my
face. One blink and I was accustomed to the newfound clairvoyance.
 
 The apartment I settled in was small. There was a bed, which would seem more
trundle than bed, lazily pushed against a wall next to a curtained window. Just
across the object of rest was a self proclaimed dining table, that was actually
a cheap coffee table. Right of that would be what seemed like a kitchen. A
single bathroom lay left of the disgraceful table, there being one toilet with
a bathing appliance that was a cross between a shower and a bath, which, to be
honest, felt sufficient for my living habits. In front of the so called dining
room was a narrow path leading to the front door of the apartment complex.
There, the few shoes I own were littered across to floor, just asking to be put
in color order, even though the only three shoes I owned were all a bright
shade of red.
 
I pushed myself off the taut mattress and stretched my way to the bathroom.
After a few minutes of loitering near the entrance of the lavatory, and
struggling with the bandages covering my left eye, I decided that I might as
well take a shower – as that, most rumors state, is what one usually does in a
bathroom.
 
The glasses came off and lay to what seemed almost untouched on a shelf just
above the bathroom sink. I opened the shower door and twisted the red handle
indicating ‘warm water’ to allow, as common sense dictates, warm water to flow.
Before I stepped into the shower, I stripped the remainder of my bandages and
night clothes off the sweaty, bruised, and scarred body to which, on common
cases, is known as my own.
 
I proceeded into the shower and soaked myself. The cold sweat I achieved from
the nightmarish reverie moments before flowed away with the warm water that
advanced to heating my body, and, ironically, cooling my mind. The water felt
strange as it touched the many scars I had printed on my body, accumulated from
to the many years of torture and failure. Although they physically didn’t hurt,
I was mentally pained.
 
I trot out of the shower after about eight minutes and wrapped myself in a
towel that was assumed to be unsoiled. My feet unconsciously led me to the
bathroom mirror, the only mirror in the house, and hands unconsciously wiped
the fogginess, just for a single eye to stare at an unaccustomed Vriska Serket.
The unkempt blonde hair fell wet on my back, with wet bangs covered the left
side of my face. Peachy colored skin and light blue eyes became even lighter
with the strangely bright bathroom light blinding my already legally blind eye.
The other eye was incased in burned tissue that disabled the eye from opening
entirely. The eye lid would twitch from time to time, making me wonder if the
eye beneath the tattered skin was actually fine.
 
I raked through the sopping hair, my fingers gently skimming the surface of my
scalp. They loomed, and then unintentionally rubbed where a Troll's horns would
normally be. No matter how long had passed, it still felt weird and different
without gray skin, mind powers, and horns to look menacing. The lack of sharp
teeth became a nuisance when attempting to eat human meat. My hands trailed
down and clasped around my cold and shivering body.
 
I felt so God damn exposed.
 
Being human gave birth to emotions I never experienced; emotions I never wanted
to experience. I felt more guilt and weakness than I used to about my past.
Emotions I lacked during my life on Alternia, and during the game, came rushing
to me once I landed on Earth. What surprised me most was that I had all my
memories of my life before – and the memories of different timelines to which I
met my own demise, and those in which I prospered. Although such memories did
bother me.
 
It bothered me because only I remembered...
***** Meow *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 - 6:20 AM
Meow===>
It was the simplistic purr and cry that wreaked havoc in the tired mind of a
frustrated teenager, contemplating whether the task of feeding a cat was grave
enough to risk waking from safe covers shading the world from a man who acted
as if he were menstruating on a daily basis. Even he, although took years to
admit, believed that the world wouldn't be such a piss poor excuse for a hate
filled shit house with his unaccustomness to waking up in the morning, or in
this case, feeding his cat.
 
So ultimately, after a grumble from his sleepy neighbor resting just above his
bunk, he got up, not wishing to risk the encounter with a verbose young man who
didn't know when to shut up. The boy wondered where it came from, as he,
obviously, didn't seem very talkative, or very well versed in the English
language. Of course, this wasn't true, but that was a plot twist possibly left
for another fateful encounter with this boy.
 
As he opened to door of his shared bedroom, he was pounced at, but not
necessarily by a kitten seeking it's morning meal. He jumped back just in time,
to dodge the unannounced, and unwelcomed, morning purrs rubbed against his leg
from the annoying roleplays that his two sisters enjoy to indulge in.  A sigh
escaped his angered and surprised lips as he whispered a loud-
 
"Shit!"
 
The girl looked up apologetically and let go of his leg, proceeding to a
catlike sitting position, and a smug grin painted among her face. Another sigh
left the cavities usually used for spewing obscurities, but the young teenager
was too tired to deal with this shit right now, so he passed by the girl meant
to be two years older than he. He walked into the bathroom and saw his youngest
sister brushing her teeth, applying extra pressure on her excessively long
cuspid. She gave him a smile, showing the tooth paste smeared on her teeth, and
he gave a nod of acknowledgement, but to the extent of a hello and nothing
more.
 
The boy gradually joined the girl in her ceremony for teeth cleansing, and when
the girl left, he closed the door and changed his clothes into something more
suitable and acceptable as school attire. Dress code was taken seriously at the
school he went to, even though no one really checked; with the exception of his
brother and his two friends. Looking at his reflection placed upon the glass
surface of a mirror, he combed through his dark auburn hair with stingy
fingers, too lazy to use a comb.
 
After viewing his complexion once again for reassurance, he left the bathroom
and bumped into a very tired senior, who smiled apologetically at him. As the
taller male opened his mouth to speak, the protagonist of this side story
quickly marched off to the kitchen, where his mother greeted him with pancakes
and waffles. A glass of milk was placed before him, which dimly reflected the
red eyes that disgusted him, but in a color completely different than red,
making them seem normal for once. His father passed by and pat him on the head,
as if he were a cat and not a being, and later reached his wife where the man
landed a faithful kiss on her left cheek, before leaving for the harsh
environment of work awaiting him.
 
After eating, and before his siblings could catch up to his procedural
quickness, he said a thanks to his mother, grabbed his bags, and waved a
sentimental goodbye to the only sane being of the household, his actual cat,
whilst rapidly exiting the house. Closing the front door behind him, the
feeling of freedom and fresh air slowly engulfed his being as a whole, scaring
him, but also making him feel daring. One step, and he could already feel the
greatness of the outdoors, and the sadness of loneliness.
 
Greatness due to the feeling of safety, strutting the streets with no worry
over being slaughtered due to blood caste ideals, but lonely as he was the only
one who remembered this atrocious past. He was the only one who didn't want to
do anything to fix it.
Chapter End Notes
     /tries different writing style.
***** Introduce yourself properly *****
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 - 8:05 AM
Introduce_yourself_properly===>
I don’t really have to; I got the teacher doing that.
 
“Good morning class! We have a new student joining us today!” My first, and
second, period teacher said in an overly enthusiastic tone. “Her name is Vriska
Serket! Due to an unfortunate accident, she was not able to join us in the
beginning of the year, but now here she is! Let’s welcome her and I would like
someone to show her around school later!” She smiled at me sweetly, making me
almost throw up at that fake smile of hers. She gently clasped her hands, gaze
rendering on someone in the room. I followed her gaze to a very familiar
looking boy raising his right hand. The teacher called on him.
 
“Why is she allowed to wear an eye patch?” the boy asked. “I thought the school
rules forbade us from wearing eye patches unless we had an important reason to
do so. Besides, why would someone who has bad eyesight wear an eye patch?
Doesn’t that just ruin his or her eyesight? Anyway, it isn’t fair to the rest
of the students. This is pre-”
 
“Please sit down; I don’t believe that Ms. Serket is aware of the rules. So
please excuse her-”
 
“I’m aware of the rules,” I told her. This wasn’t the first time I’ve gotten
trouble for wearing an eye patch, so I was aware that wearing accessories not
accepted in the dress code rules. I liked breaking rules, so I didn’t really
mind. You know, girls like me; we only like rules so we can break them!
 
“Then does this mean you are breaking the rules?” the verbose boy asked, but
didn’t stop there. “As I was mentioning before, that is not fair to your fellow
students. It is best to be fair since then it would be easier for you to make
friends, especially since it has been two months and not many are willing to
make new friends this far into the school year. Although, if I do say so
myself, I am always willing to make friends. However, you seem intimidating –
and intimidating people are quite triggering - as the eye patch claims. It’s as
if you have a dark past that-” he stopped. More like everyone in the class did.
 
I had no intention to make friends, the thought itself seemed stupid. The only
friends that I wanted were the ones I lost, not fake new ones that would most
likely think of me as a delinquent for my behavior; although, that may also
stand true for my old friends. It wouldn’t matter even if I found them, as
being human made me realize what I did in the past wasn’t exactly ‘just’. I
don’t regret what I did, though. I don’t even regret what I did at that moment
either.
 
“Can I sit down now?” I asked the teacher who, like everyone else, was staring
at the burnt skin where an eye should be. A grand pause and sudden stillness
made the subtle chirping of birds outside sound like construction work.
 
“Y-yes, last seat in the back, near the window...” her voice slightly trailed
as I realized that her attitude changed from when she first met me.
 
Typical.
 
I walked towards the seat, putting my eye patch on first, then my glasses. I
sat down on the uncomfortable blue chair that felt like it was created for
toddlers – or really short people. Words carved in the wood of the desk mocked
me, just like the chair itself. The front board stood seats away from me,
fairly difficult to see, making me wonder why I was placed in the back in the
first place. I sighed, trying to refrain from face palming.
 
At first, I received glances from other students, some were curious, others
seemed jeering, but with a few cold shutdowns from myself, I was dubbed as
dangerous and was placed as a ‘solved topic’; a case likely to never open
again. Then again, I hope that was the case.
 
The class officially started and, since I already knew all the material, I put
my head down and slept...
 
-------
 
“You’re under arrest.”

I woke up with a start. My hands were grabbed and pulled behind me by two weak
and bony ones. I opened my only operating eye, abruptly stood up, and kicked
towards the direction of my arrestor, hitting his or her arm. I jumped back a
bit; falling on the ground in the process, but then looked up and froze-
 
-And that is saying a lot since I am not one to freeze during encounters.
 
There were three students staring down at me; two males, one female. One male
looked like a geek especially with his weird glasses. The girl also had
glasses, a different pair, and a unique color that seemed even more so illegal
than my eye patch. He and the female were wearing a tag around one arm.
 
The other male, however, wasn’t wearing a tag, but unlike his amused and
curious friends, he looked like a girl on her period. I guess that was a
horrible simile, but he really looked as if he was tired of his friends’ antics
and was probably getting ready to explode with anger. He had a similar physical
appearance to the guy who spoke up earlier about my eye patch. Seriously, what
do these people have against eye patches?
 
The girl gave out a loud and strange cackle, loud enough to pop my eardrums. I
refuse to admit that I was afraid, but even so, I stood up, getting ready to
run. I looked at a clock I noticed when I first stepped foot in the classroom.
If I was right, it was snack time.
 
“Wearing accessories, such as eye patches, are forbidden on school grounds,
especially if they distract other students from learning, so I must confiscate
it,” she said. She wasn’t from this class, so I wondered who told her about my
eye patch. Maybe it was the guy who considered it ‘triggering’? I gritted my
teeth. Kids who decided to remain in the class during snack were looking at me,
involving their little noses into this matter. I shrugged.
 
“And if I say no?” My voice was rasp and weak sounding; I cleared my throat and
carefully took a step back.
 
“Then we will have to report you to the office,” said one of the boys. The way
he said ‘to’ made it sound like he was saying the number, rather than the
preposition.
 
“Go ahead,” I scoffed. “What difference would it make?”
 
“You might be let off with a warning,” the girl continued evenly matching my
tone. “But with multiple infringements you might be suspended, and that will
later lead to expulsion.”
 
“Don’t care,” I said with a shrug.
 
“You should.”
 
“Why should I?”
 
“Because I care,” she retorted, tone more soft and caring than before. There
were hints of confusion which made it evident that they weren’t her words,
rather, someone else’s.
 
I didn’t know what to say so I simply stared at her, the teal of her eyes, the
softness of her hair, and the figure of her body. I looked down as I realized
what I was doing and how awkward it would seem to others. I also looked down
because I could feel myself blushing.
 
“I’m sorry,” the Terezi-look-alike said, assuming that she offended me. “I’m
sure if you have a reason, then I wouldn’t need to take it from you- hey!” I
couldn’t stand the sudden burst of emotions within this human body; even if I
was mistaken and it wasn’t Terezi, this human heart was still pained. Was it
guilt? I am not quite sure, but it felt so weird, this feeling, it kind of made
me want to rip out my heart and start pounding it with the mechanical hand I
did not have.
 
Sucks, I guess.
 
I walked out of the room, first walking fairly casually, and then later running
through the halls. The all too familiar walls of classrooms, faces, and odors
of the school made me crave for sadness and nostalgia. I felt so constipated in
the wide walls of the school that I started climbing upwards, finding the
nearest stairs to aid my ascension, and after a while, I ended up on the roof
of the school; satisfying my sudden crave for freedom.
 
I looked to find that no one was in sight; nothing was really, just a really
cheap ramp and a bench overlooking the school. The smell of cigarettes loitered
in the still air, making the inside prison seem more enjoyable than the outside
freedom. A sharp pain stung my already hurting head. I looked over at the only
bench vacant, the only bench there, and proceeded towards it.
 
I did what I could easily do with this human body and sat down on the concrete
bench. I later proceeded in using my hands as pillows so I could lie on the
bench semi-comfortably and look up at the blue and lonely sky.
 
The warning bell rang, but I decided against going to class. School didn't seem
worth the trouble. I knew I could get a decent job as whatever I wanted, a
bartender seemed nice to me, without a high school degree. I was in all the
advanced classes - all of them. So becoming a bartender wouldn’t be hard for
me.
 
I mean, if I lived that long, anyway.
 
Even for family, I was fine by myself; I was alone for so long that it didn’t
matter to me if that changed or not. The only friends I had for the past
thirteen years were gone and the only friendships I held ended up in failure –
I didn’t expect that to change this time either.
 
I slowly closed my eye, the blue of the sky fading to black in the process. I
gave a sigh, before somehow managing to fall asleep.
 
***** Explain the situation for the viewer *****
The timeless world
Explain_the_situation_for_the_viewer ===>
No.
 
That’s so stupid, why would I do that? If I want to attract the reader, isn’t
it more logical for me to simply not inform them as to what is occurring?
Seriously, how stupid is actually telling things to the reader? They’re
supposed to figure it out on their own! Besides, I don’t do things for the sake
of foreshadowing.
 
Well…
 
I usually don’t do things for the sake of foreshadowing.
 
“You have a choice,” he said lying a bit farther away from where I collapsed. I
held out longer than I expected, and even managed to knock him down, but it was
obvious that I had lost.
 
“Oh, really?” I asked sarcastically, pretending to give a fuck, although I
actually did.
 
“I enjoy games, difficult ones, ones that involve pointless strategic turns,
plot twists,” he continued, ignoring me. “What do you say, Vriska, would you
like to play a game?” I was tempted to refuse, but my curiosity was peeked.
 
“Fuck no.” You should all know by now that I never listen to my own advice.
Hey, what can I say? Habits are hard to kill.
 
It annoyed me, however, when that bastard ignored my use of profanity.
 
“However, just because I’m offering you a chance to play a game with me, that
doesn’t mean I can’t kill you and go after your friends if you refuse.” He said
it so calmly that it ticked me off. I tried getting up but my body refused to
cooperate. No way in hell could I stand up for another fight.
 
“Ha, since I feel merciful, I will listen to your plea,” I said with false
strength. At this point I was literally all bark and no bite.
 
“Your friends all went to Earth," he began, voice booming over sounds of the
void. "However, in order to coexist with the way the universe works, the game
has reset their lives; meaning they will be born anew as humans. Both Troll and
human alike, even Calliope, will become human. However, you will stay here for
thirteen years playing this game in their place. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you,
and after thirteen years, I will send you to Earth.”
 
“Sadist,” I scoffed at him, I couldn’t see his face at that moment, but I bet
he frowned.

“I do not find pleasure in torturing you; I am only doing it because you
deserve it. I believe this all started because of your personality issues-”

“-says the sadist,” I added matching his pace. I hoped he was frowning; fucker
deserves to frown.

“Touché. Last I remember, you caused the end of a few of your friends,” he said
glancing at the corpse of a god tier Tavros. I decided to change the subject.

“Wait, so I will be a baby when the rest are teens?” I asked weakly.

“No, I’ll send you as you are now. This is a timeless world; you won't age as
long as you’re here. You will be able to die, however. With the extent of my
power I suppose I can stop you from dying, but you will still feel the pain
from this game and the scars won’t heal,” I swear I saw him smile as he said
that.
 
“Afterwards I’ll return your ability to be 'normal' back to you after thirteen
years. Sburb, or Sgrub in your case, assumes that both of us are dead so when I
send you to Earth, you won’t be reset as a human wriggler, but you will become
human,” he said getting up. “It will also take a while to get to Earth, maybe a
few years for them, so most of your allies will be older than you.”
 
He started walking towards me. I wanted to move and run, but my body was being
an ass. If only I was stronger. If only I could kill him. If only I wasn’t weak
to wonder about the ‘if’.
 
“What’s the game?”

“What?”
 
“Did you think I’d refuse? I enjoy games as well,” I said in an unsympathetic
tone. “So I’ll play this ‘game’ with you, and I will win. Mark my words,
English, you will not win.”
 
“I didn’t say anything about winning or losing,” he retorted. “In the thirteen
years that you will be here, I will train you, as well as inform you about the
rules of this game, and I assure you, there are many,” he paused, for what
seemed to be forever.
 
“Is that it?”
 
“I refuse to tell you more until you accept.” I paused for a moment.
 
“What’s the catch?
 
“What?”

“Come on, English, there has to be a reason you are giving me a choice, right?”
I said with all I could muster.

“What I want you to do in return for my mercy?”

I managed to give him a nod. He paused for a moment.

“I want you to make sure that no one on Earth ever plays Sburb. The world, I
know, seemed to be ending anyway, and playing Sburb supposedly didn’t trigger
anything, but that doesn’t mean the game didn’t play a part in the end of the
world. The world ends regardless, but not playing the game will prorogue the
destruction of Earth, by a few years or so.” He was standing over me, his
silhouette blocking whatever light it could. I stared back at him and didn’t
say a word.

“There’s also another reason. The Condesce will not give up her plan to
resurrect the Troll race. By preventing the game, you prevent that. You
wouldn’t want your Troll lifestyle come back, would you? Having to kill others
in order to feed your lusus? Then eventually, you will be giving someone else
that task when you grow older.”
 
He didn’t look strong from where I laid; he looked sad. Even as the final boss,
it seemed that he had no real goal in mind. Just like all of us, this was just
a game to him, and he didn’t want to lose to anyone. Neither did I.
 
“So, what do you say?” he asked. It took me a moment but I eventually opened my
mouth.

“I have a condition,” I said and he looked at me.

“What is it?” he asked, confused that I could use my brain in this state.

“Give...” I gave a sigh and braced for how pathetic I was about to sound. “Give
my friends, all of my friends, the best life they can possibly have...” I
started feeling like a weakling once the words came out of my mouth. “And I
mean: The best.” He gave a long pause before smiling.

“That all depends on you, Serket.”
***** What now? *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 – 9:52 PM
What_now? ===>
"What are you idiots up to now?" The boy said gritting his teeth while
furiously running his fingers through his hair. He was so done with their shit.
So done, that the shit probably wanted nothing to do with him. Absolutely.
Nothing.
 
Too bad his friends thought otherwise.
 
"Stop whining, Karkat," the girl retorted with a frown. "We were sent by the
vice principal to check out this lawbreaker."
 
"It's a fucking school, Terezi," the boy named Karkat screeched with his
awkwardly scratchy voice. "There are no lawbreakers!"
 
"Well, according to the penal code, KK, it is actually-"
 
"Shut up, you asshole!" Karkat yelled at the boy also joining them in their so
called mission to reprimand the 'lawbreaker'. "How can you two manage to keep a
serious face while saying the penal code? People will not take you fucking
seriously when you keep bringing it up! No one even takes us seriously in the
first place! What the fuck are you two trying to accomplish by capturing this
so called 'offender' anyway!?"
 
"More members to our club," the boy responded in a lisp.
 
"Rather than getting members, you guys would get slammed for playing police,"
Karkat grumbled shaking his head. "Why am I suppose to tag along as well?"
 
"Because you're a member of this club Karkat," Terezi reminded him for the
sixty-ninth time this school year. "Remember? You were considerate enough to
join us in creating a club."
 
"Well, I fucking regret it," He scoffed, angry enough to throw the next object
he comes across out a window, but also chicken enough to refrain from doing so.
Self control is such an unentertaining aspect to possess.
 
"Once the club grows, Karkat, you wouldn't be saying all this stuff," the boy
commented. Karkat glared at him.
 
"How would this club become popular when the only members are a nerd with no
social life, a freak with the weirdest fetishes in the world, and a fourteen
year old boy who has fucking HIV?" Karkat yelled gritting his teeth even harder
than before.
 
"I thought the HIV thing was suppose to be a secret, Karkat," the boy replied
with annoyance.
 
"Well not anymore it isn't, you ugly whimsical son of a flying shit. The bunny
is out of the bag, getting ready for its flight to fucking Neverland. Don't say
I didn't warn you about the fucking pirates."
 
"Karkat, calm down."
 
"Fuck you, Sollux, I am calm," He snapped angrily. Sollux sighed tiredly.
 
"Don't even go there, Karkat, what you are feeling right now is the exact
opposite of 'calm'."
 
"Oh? And how would you know, Mr. Know-it-all? Was in the penal code? Am I going
to be arrested for being fucking sane?"
 
"No Karkat, for the fifth time today, it isn't in the penal co-"
 
"Of course you'd know, you pretentious spongedead shitting fuck on a mountain
of incredible stupidity. I bet the only reason you memorized all the codes in
the Penal Code was because you don't have one-"
 
"Karkat!" Terezi yelled, startling both Sollux and Karkat, forcing them to fall
silent. "Don't reprimand Sollux for memorizing the penal code. You wouldn't
understand anyway," Terezi said with a sigh. "Sollux, please stop adding fuel
to the fire, you know how... emotional... Karkat gets about this stuff."
 
"Yes, ma'am," they both said in unison, hanging their heads in embarrassment as
they followed Terezi to their destination.
 
"Hey, sorry, man, can we still be friends?"
 
"What? Of course; everything I said was a joke, didn't you get it."
 
"Oh; yeah, I did, didn't you realize how I joined in midway?"
 
"Yeah, ha-ha, I noticed."
 
Terezi sighed in relief as well as annoyance. At least they're not whining
anymore, Terezi thought, proud at her ability to keep Karkat's and Sollux's
relationship relatively stable. It was increasingly difficult at the beginning,
but she had grown accustomed to all their bitching.
 
As soon as they reached the door to the class that their suspect was located
in, the bell rang, allowing them to enter without a consent from a teacher.
Many students left as soon as the three walked in, but others pointed fingers
and whispered in each other's ears; even the teacher looked up from behind the
stack of papers she was grading. Recognizing them, and realizing the cause
behind their visit to the class, she pointed at the only person sleeping in the
whole class. Whether or not she fell asleep at the bell, or during class,
remained a mystery to Karkat and the rest. Karkat looked left to see that
Terezi was already approaching the sleeping girl.
 
"Terezi!" he gave a loud whisper that surprisingly didn't wake the girl from
her slumber; either that, or she really wasn't sleeping in the first place.
"What the fuck are you planning on doing?"
 
"Waking her up," Terezi replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the
world. "What else am I suppose to do?"
 
"I don't know!?" He croaked. "Something not stupid!?"
 
Terezi frowned and glanced at Sollux, who unlike Karkat, seemed to support
Terezi's way of doing things. He gave a shrug, and looked back at the sleeping
girl, using his index finger to push his glasses up his nose. Terezi, using
that as an approval to do something stupid approached the girl, grabbing her
arms and pinning her arms on her back.
 
“You’re under arrest.”
 
The girl jumped up and almost reflexively kicked Terezi, making her stumbled
backwards into Sollux who stopped her fall.
 
"Careful," He said, pushing her forward towards the blonde girl.
 
Terezi was unaware what to do next, so she did what came naturally to her. She
let out a cackle, not only surprising the blonde criminal, but also making
Karkat face palm.
 
“Wearing accessories, such as eye patches, are forbidden on school grounds,"
she said as professionally as she could. "Especially if they distract other
students from learning, so I must confiscate it."
 
“And if I say no?” the blonde replied in a way that made Terezi stop. Sensing
her confusion Sollux spoke up.
 
“Then we will have to report you to the office,” he said, pushing his glasses
up his nose
 
“Go ahead. What difference would it make?” The blonde jeered, with a glare that
would freeze penguins.
 
“You might be let off with a warning,” the girl continued evenly matching her
tone. “But with multiple infringements you might be suspended, and that will
later lead to expulsion.”
 
“Don’t care,” the blonde said. Karkat's eyes went wide with realization.
 
“You should.”
 
“Why should I?”
 
“Because I care,” Terezi responded as a weird feeling welling up in Karkat. He
took a step back; a step both Terezi and Sollux noticed.
 
"You alright, KK?" Sollux whispered. Karkat swallowed and breathed in slowly
while glancing at the blonde's face once again.  
 
“I’m sorry,” Terezi slowly let out. Terezi didn't usually apologize, so Karkat
and Sollux stared at the newfound softness. Sollux then looked back at Karkat
and noticed the change in his expression.
 
"Do you guys know her?" the susurration caused Terezi to subtly shake her head
and Karkat to close his eyes and breath out.
 
“I’m sure if you have a reason,"  Terezi continued, temporarily paralyzed by
the familiar gait of the girl stepping backwards. "Then I wouldn’t need to take
it from you- hey!” The blonde quickly turned around, but before Terezi could
reach out and stop her, Karkat did the intended to Terezi.
 
"Karkat, what are you doing?" she easily escaped from his grasp, but instead of
running after the blonde, she stared at him. "Do you know her?" He didn't
respond. Darting his eyes back and forth from Sollux to Terezi, he closed his
eyes once again, attempting to centralize his thoughts.
 
"Do you know her name?" He asked opening his eyes to a squint. Sollux looked at
Terezi before he answered.
 
"Vriska?" Terezi nodded. "Vriska Serket, why?"
 
"Shit," Karkat cursed under his breath, gathering the undivided attention of
not only his friends, but all the others remaining in the classroom.
 
He was lucky the bell saved his ass. Rushing out of the classroom, he managed
to reach his own with tireless effort. He didn't have either of his friends
until his sixth period class, and if he didn't encounter them in the halls or
lunch, he would be fine. All he really needed was those few periods to figure
out an excuse for knowing the rebellious spirit of Vriska Serket.
Chapter End Notes
     When in doubt, use insult generators (y).
***** Wake up *****
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 – 12:17 PM
Wake_up ===>
I didn’t feel the slightest bit relaxed when I woke up.
There was a girl. She had blonde hair and violet eyes filled with concern. She
wore a simple white shirt and had a book in one hand, her other hand had my
glasses. I sat up, realizing my glasses probably slipped off as I was sleeping.
She handed them to me and I wiped them before putting them on. I then looked at
her before opening my mouth to say the word I don’t normally say.
“Thanks.” God, do I hate being human.
“So you do have manners,” she said chuckling to herself.
“What?”
“You are the new student, if I am not mistaken,” she smiled. “You are quite the
‘topic’ on school grounds. Take no offense as this is how I am thanking you for
making the school a louder place.”
“Is that human sarcasm I sense?” I asked rhetorically. “Funny as I was
expecting more of a threat than a fake claim.” I shrugged, brushing her off. I
knew she got the clue, so that was probably the reason why she sat down next to
me.
“I can see this as a start of a beautiful friendship,” she commented opening
her book. “My name is Rose Lalonde.” I stopped ignoring her. Rose? Like, Rose,
the other light player? Oh God, there is no way.
“Vriska Serket,” I told her, making sure my tone didn’t match my thoughts.
“I didn’t ask.”
“Nor did I, but I thought it would be fair,” I glanced sideways to see her
smile.
A gentle breeze blew her bangs slightly away from her face, revealing the
clear, white surface of her forehead. Bummer; I was expecting a scar. She
glanced at me, her calming, gentle eyes catching my own, before looking back to
the book placed in her hands. I did the same, but instead of looking down at
her book, I looked past the fence bordering the rooftop and onto the field
below.
Then I realized I was still in school.
I took out my phone and checked the time; there were only a few more minutes
until lunch ended. I skipped two classes, so I thought that I should just leave
rather than attend the last two.
“You should go back to class, the teachers might start worrying,” Rose informed
me, somehow understanding my intentions.
"Why? Worried that I might be lost?" I jeered.
"Perhaps," she replied with a similar tone.
“Were you in any of my classes?” I ask solemnly.
“No, but my sister, Roxy, is,” she said.
A strange silence ensued, and I looked away from the stoic female. I turned
back at her, just to witness her hand reached out and poked the left side of my
face. I flinched and slightly jerked backwards.
“I hear from Terezi that you’re not a bad person, my sister thinks so as well,”
she smiled once again. “They think the eye patch is a nice touch-”
“What is up with this school and eye patches?” I scowled. “I wear it because I
don’t want to wear bandages, is that too much to ask?”
“Bandages?” she inquired.
I showed my whole class, so I didn’t really care if she saw either – and, well,
I’ve never used my eye as a strategic tactic in the past, so why not? I placed
my hand on my eye patch and pushed it up, catching my bangs by the roots and
lifting them in the process. I turned to her and stared at her shocked eyes.
Her hand touched my left cheek, but this time I didn’t pull away.
“I-I’m… I apologize,” she stuttered, clearing her throat to cloud her moment of
discomfort; typical humans. “I was not aware of your situation.” She however
didn’t pull her hand back. Her thumb gently caressed the scar and she looked at
me before reclining. She didn’t say another word, but when the bell rang she
got up, faced me, and extended her hand.
“Let’s go back to class, Vriska,” I looked at her, and she stared back at me,
strength in her eyes, with a hint of sarcasm and irony. I smiled to myself
before getting up and ignoring her hand.
“I can walk on my own,” I told her as she lowered her hand with a grin. “I
don’t know how you believe I got this wound, but it doesn’t include falling
down some stairs and becoming paralyzed.”
***** I warned you about the stairs *****
Chapter Notes
     Chapter about how badly Vriska hates humans.
     And how much she actually loves them.
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 - 3:12 PM
I_warned_you_about_the_stairs ===>
What? What stairs? I see no stairs. I already informed you that I didn't get
this wound by falling down a fleet of stairs! How dumb can humans get? Besides,
what is up with that command? It’s not even a command!  Also, what makes you
think you can just boss me around? Oh hey, here’s a character, let’s just make
her do stuff without considering her feelings. Well, fuck you!

Here I have an idea; no more commands. It’ll save everyone a lot of time and
trouble that way.

Anyway, I was the second to last person to – presumably - walk out of the
classroom. This time I didn’t sleep and actually paid attention. Well, give me
some props; I at least pretended to, since again, I already knew all the
material.
 
What I really did was observe my classmates.

I drew a seating chart on a piece of notebook paper and jotted down
descriptions of the people in my class depending on where they sat. Then, I
circled the people who shared the same descriptions as the people that I once
knew. I realized that there were five people that looked familiar and,
coincidentally, had the same names as my friends; Kurloz, Roxy, Jane, Cronus,
and Nepeta. Also, from what I’ve noticed this morning, a boy coincidentally
named Kankri is in my first and second period class.

Okay, fine, I’ll admit; even an idiot would tell that this isn’t a coincidence.
They are the people I once knew; the people who I risked my life to save.

But why don't they remember? Rose seemed like the type to remember, being a
seer and all, as well as Terezi. Was I the only one who remembered the past in
this timeline? How would I stop them from playing Sburb if none of them
remember the dangers of the game. It bugged me so much that I never realized
that class was over. When I looked up and saw the empty room, I discarded my
pride and slammed my head on the desk said to be mine.

“Ow...” I whimpered to myself. I felt so pathetic. My head started hurting, but
it wasn’t from hitting it on the desk; it was from the stress I felt at that
moment. My chin rested on the desk, one hand in front of me, the other dangled
off the side of the desk. I let it fall back and forth like a pendulum of an
antic clock deciding a hero’s fate, until I felt my fingertips slide across the
strap of my backpack.
 
I gripped the strap and pulled the blue backpack upwards and onto my desk. I
picked up the little supplies I had out and shoved it in the worn-out bag. The
faster I get out of here, the better. I figured that just getting out of school
will cause me to be less stressful. Going home, sleeping, and maybe doing my
homework...
 
I sighed.

What the hell was I thinking? I am Vriska Serket for crying out loud! I
murdered Flarpers left and right and scavenged treasure on my dangerous
adventures. I got all the treasure. All of it! So why was I sulking as a human?
Human life is easier than a Trolls, but why isn’t it as satisfying?
 
I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I looked up; I saw a pair of familiar teal
eyes I never thought I’d see again. She was looking down on me with concern, as
if there was something on my face, and I didn’t want to do anything but stare
back at her, absorbing her appearance.
 
She had reddish brown hair and teal eyes filled with life. Her lips were a
light shade of pink, and her skin was also very light, although it was one
shade warmer than mine. She had the feint notion of freckles painted on the
tips of her cheeks. If her skin was gray, mouth filled with daggers for teeth,
and pointed horns on her head, she would look just like my Scourge Sister.
 
I missed her. I missed her so much that it hurt. It hurt so much to know that
the girl standing before me is the Terezi I once knew, but she doesn’t remember
who I am.
 
Even though I gave a sigh, she’s the one who spoke first.

“I’m sorry about before,” she began, but I didn’t let her continue.

I stood up and looked down on her. According to the human measurement system, I
am about 5.7’; she would be about 5.0’. She was so short it made her seem more
adorable than Nepeta, who would actually be taller than Terezi if she didn’t
slouch all the time. My gaze was expressionless and I shook my head before
speaking.

“I don’t understand why you’re apologizing,” I said staring into her chaste and
confused eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but, again, I didn’t let her. “I
don’t enjoy people prostrating at my feet... So don’t apologize to me, I don’t
really care.”
 
“Oh,” she let out awkwardly.
 
It took a lot of willpower not to slap her right then and there.
 
This wasn’t Terezi Pyrope. This wasn’t the Redglare I roleplayed with back in
our Flarping days. This wasn’t the same girl who stole my left eye and arm. Nor
was she the same girl who stabbed me in the back in order to save me from more
guilt and the rest of the Trolls from death. She wasn’t the girl that I once
hated so much that it was almost flushed. No. This wasn’t the Pyrope I knew.
The one I knew and hated with all my might was different.

I gritted my teeth and grabbed my backpack. I took a long final look at her
before stepping aside and walking away.
 
Did I want to leave it like this? Of course not! You have no idea how badly I
wanted to embrace her right then and there, however, I couldn’t. I can’t stand
being around her because I didn’t love her, nor did I hate her, as I did in the
past. I hated a Troll who looked just like her, and at the same time, I loved a
Troll that looked like her. Just looking at the human version of a past crush
pained me.
 
Besides, from what I gathered on Earth, there was no way I could be flushed for
her. Apparently, humans look down on those who were attracted to the same sex.
I found this concept childish as Trolls were, what humans seem to call,
bisexual, so we think this to be normal, but nope; humans just have to go and
make everything stupid and complicating. As if we didn't have enough words in
dictionaries to begin with.
 
Then again, I guess I’m human now, so acting like I did as a Troll wouldn’t
help me. Also, I didn’t want Terezi to think that I was disgusting, so I just
left the classroom instead of letting her know my thoughts. I was fine with her
hating me, I was fine with her ignoring me, but I didn’t want her to be
disgusted of me; as she will do a lot more than just hate and ignore me.
 
I was already walking out the front gates of the school when I heard someone
call out my name. I turned to see Terezi running towards me. She stopped in
front of me and I waited for her to catch her breath. I couldn’t help but
wonder why humans were so retarded. Can’t they get the hint that I can’t talk
to them due to our major cultural differences? Seriously.

“My name’s Terezi. Terezi Pyrope,” she managed to breathe out. She looked up at
me expectantly. I stared at her for a moment, knowing that she wanted me to
introduce myself. When I didn’t reply she then added, “What’s your name?”

“Vriska. Vriska Serket,” I told her, half tempted to give her an alibi. I
sighed before turning to leave. She reached out and grabbed my hand, not
letting me take another step. “W-what?” I stuttered, suddenly unaware of her
intentions.

“I... I’m not sure...” she looked down in confusion. “For some reason, my body
just moves on its own when I’m around you. I suddenly just wanted to… hold your
hand…” She looked back up at me. “I’m not sure why but I don’t want to let go.
You just seem, so lonely and so sad. The way you look at me and well, everyone
else, it’s as if you see someone else; someone important to you. Weird, isn’t
it? I met you just today, but it feels like -”

“-You’ve known me before,” I finished the sentence for her. She looked upset,
and she became sadder when I pulled my hand away and shoved it in my jacket
pocket.

“Yeah...” she said looking down confused. Her mellifluous voice swayed me to
the extent that I stayed for a moment, wondering if she was going to say more,
but when she didn’t, I started walking away again.

“Vriska!” I paused. “Let’s be friends!” If she was expecting an answer, I
didn’t give her one. Instead, I continued walking.

When I was out of her sight, I started running.
***** Go to a cheap cafe *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 - 4:32 PM
Go_to_a_cheap_cafe ===>
Note to self; don’t go to the cheapest café in town.
 
 Skaia Café was a big brown building located on the corner of a street that
would become famous under the conditions of a very bad pop star that, for
unknown reasons, everyone liked visiting it and hosting a concert or, instead
of having a cafe, have a strip joint with really shitty security guards that
let fifteen-year-olds pass through without permission. Alright; I will admit
that it was my fault for considering to go to a cafe that reminded me of a game
I used to play. But let's be reasonable here; it’s not like anything bad would
happen if I checked out the menu, right?
 
Oh, how deeply was I mistaken.
 
I knew there was a party because I heard the sound of music even before I came
across the place. Even balloons littering the once blue sky were a dead
giveaway, but if it weren't for my rebellious nature, I'd think entering such a
place to be almost illegal. Almost. I, however, did walk in without knowing
that they apparently sold alcohol there. I also didn’t know that someone from
my school was having a party. I turned around as soon as I saw Rose and Roxy,
suddenly feeling regret for walking in the so-called 'café'.
 
“Hey, Vriska,” Roxy called out as I was about to touch the door handle. Fuck.
“Why don’t you hang out with us?” She was walking towards me when I turned to
face her. I haven’t been near an intoxicated human before, but it didn’t take
me long to realize that if you look up the word ‘drunk’ in a dictionary, her
picture would be there.
 
 “Are you okay?” I asked as she stumbled towards me.
 
“Yeah, girl, ofc I’m okay,” she gave me a tipsy smile, literarily pronouncing
'of course' as 'O.F.C.' Looking past her shoulder, I scowled at Rose who had
followed Roxy to greet me.
 
 “Hello, Vriska,” a mischievous smile danced across her lips. “Would you care
to join us? I’m sure the birthday girl won’t mind at all.” She motioned to the
loud bunch behind her, more specifically at a girl with strange red shades.
 
 "I don't know her," I replied, inching as close to the door as I could while
simultaneously planning the best way to get out of the building without having
the need to break any windows. If push comes to shove, I wouldn't mind the
latter.
 
"Oh, don't worry, Vriska," it was Roxy this time, putting up her glass of what
I assumed wasn't cranberry juice. "Have some fun! School has probably worn you
out, girl, come on!" She placed a hand on one of my shoulders, using the one
with her beverage to motion at the seats that they were sitting at moments
before, now crowded by a bunch of students from my school.
 
"I can't handle alcohol," I said, brushing her hand off my shoulder. I sighed
realizing that the lies I give might someday come true. "It's against school
policy," I murmured, not wishing to be heard. Her eyebrows knit, and she looked
down.
 
"I wasn't offering you alcohol," Roxy whispered, barely audible over the tumult
of celebration. She looked up again with weak eyes. "I'm probably the only one
drinking alcohol."
 
As I was about to open my mouth to reply, the door opened behind me. I saw
Rose's eyes light up, and even saw the girl with the red shades turn to the
door and smile. I followed their gaze, and as soon as I did, I regretted it. I
slowly breathed in and out, trying my best to assess the situation. I
eventually ended up staring awkwardly in eyes that bore the same question as
mine.
 
Her hair seemed newly cut, a bit shorter than it was before, and tied up in a
small pony-tail. She wore what I would assume to be casual clothes, but I
wouldn't know either way since she was wearing a jacket. Now that I think about
it, she was wearing one this morning and, not that I am one to judge but, I
wouldn't think it to be normal to wear a jacket on such warm October weather.
Whatever, it's probably nothing serious.
 
I let out a breath and tried looking away, but I still felt a need to make eye
contact. Her eyes where wide in shock, pupils dilating. Her breathing was rapid
and shallow and she licked her lips as if her mouth was dry - similar to how I
was acting at that moment.
 
Next to her was a boy taller than her, although practically the same height as
I. He stood awkwardly, with long curly hair that fell messily on his face and
neck. His purple eyes radiated in the dim lights of the café. He gave a
confused and innocent smile that would be considered adorable in certain
situations. Obviously, this was not the right situation to consider such
possibilities. Besides the nonchalant odor of alcohol, he had three scratches
on his face, all three starting at one side, and eventually ending up at the
other. On top of what I assumed would be naturally tan skin was clown paint.
 
 “Hey, motherfuckers,” the boy said in a strangely whimsical tone. “Are you
ready to party and have some motherfucking drinks?” He received a cheer from
the crowd behind me.
 
 “I’m already right behind you, Gamzee,” Roxy said, putting up her glass. I
swallowed hard at the realization.
 
 “That’s motherfucking bitchtits, sis,” Gamzee said smiling, then looked to me.
“Who is this blonde motherfucker?”
 
"I have to go," I murmured, looking down and hoping that my bangs covered my
face. I gave an attempt to brush past the two human obstacles in front of me,
but it didn't work as Gamzee blocked my path.
 
"You just got here, Vriska," Roxy noted. I gritted my teeth at the mention of
my name.
 
"Stuff to do," I scowled, trying once again to pass by Gamzee, but this time,
he deliberately didn't budge. Shit.
 
 I looked at him as his smile faded. He narrowed his eyes and glared at me like
I was a long lost prey. He put his hand into the pocket of his pants, and I
took a step back, hands reflexively fell in front of my chest, as if preparing
for a blow on my lower body and chest. Both Terezi and Rose seemed to notice
the tension between us.
 
 “Is something wrong, Gamzee?” Rose asked concerned. After a moment of silence,
he spoke.
 
“Get out."
 
 “What's wrong, Gamzee?” Roxy lazily cocked her head to one side. I let out a
slow breath.
 
 “Get out,” he repeated, a little louder than before. This time, even Roxy
caught on.
 
 Although seeing Gamzee with the one person he ruined in the past pissed me
off, there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't do anything because this
wasn't a violent world and no one would back me up if I made him bleed. Trust
me, I know from personal experience. I glared at him with eyes set to kill,
making him contemplate whether I would attack or not. I smirked and took a step
forward, later smiling triumphantly as he unconsciously took a step back. When
I took another step I saw his grip tighten around something in his pocket, but
before he could pull his only means of defense out, I shoved him aside and
walked out the door he entered from. He stood frozen for a few moments before
realizing what actually happened.
 
“Don’t you motherfucking come back, Vriska,” he yelled back to me. “Can’t you
see all the signs saying ‘No Dead Girls Aloud’?” I stopped, thinking if I
should reply or run back and punch him. I decided that punching was the better
option of the two, but when I turned around, one glance from Terezi made me
stop. I sighed and took a moment to think rationally: What if he only remembers
our life during the game?
 
 “What are you motherfucking waiting for?” Gamzee yelled and then smiled. He
knew that I couldn't hurt him, though, I did notice the doubt in his eyes.
 
The music stopped playing and I heard people from within contemplate as to why
the once calm Gamzee Makara was suddenly boiling with anger. This situation was
getting more attention than it needed, so I decided that a back stabber didn’t
deserve to be touched by my hands. I smirked at him, once again causing him to
flinch, but instead charging for an assault, I flicked him off, turned once
again, and started walking away. After a few minutes the music started up
again, loud enough for me to hear it even with the growling of an empty
stomach.
 
Chapter End Notes
     Underage drinking; don't do it.
***** Swing *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 - 11:24 PM
Swing ===>
There was a park near the apartment I stayed in. The cool, night air relaxed me
as I swung back and forth on an empty swing set; alone. Crickets chirped loud
enough to be heard, but quiet enough to let me think. The leaves of trees were
blown back and forth by an occasional breeze. I let out a breath, and as it was
cold, I saw the transparent white mist escape through my mouth by the means of
condensation.
 
Meanwhile, I took the peaceful environment to assess my current situation.
 
Everyone from my past goes to the same high school as I, but not many seem to
remember; nor do they seem to hold memories of their alternate timelines, like
I do. Then there's Gamzee, whose case is unknown to even me. He was considered
a traitor after what he did to Terezi, but truly, his involvment with the other
side was a part of the bigger picture; if it weren't for him, I don't think
anyone of us could stand a second against Lord English. The bad side to this,
however, is that now I have to hold in all my feelings and pretend that nothing
happened, and live the remaining of my life being tormented by a guy who
probably holds the memories of a different timeline Troll.
 
How fucking fantastic my current situation is; I could almost cry tears of joy.
 
 “Vriska?” I turned around to see a girl about my age approach me.
 
She wore a beanie and a very large gray shirt with short sleeves. Light green
jeans and worn out mascara made it evident that she either just walked out of a
club, or was kicked out. What worried me most of her appearance, however, was
her skin; as even in the dark, I could see how white it was. She was so pale
that she looked pallid, and I was suddenly worried, thinking that the ghosts
that used to haunt me a while back had just decided to reappear.
 
“Mind if I join you?" I stared, trying to place who she was. Nothing came to
mind so I nodded.
 
“Want a drink?” she asked, indicating a plastic bag holding - what I assumed
were - drinks in one hand; the other was bandaged, hanging still by her side.
 
 “Sure,” I told her, then added. “One that’s unopened.” A person can never be
too safe.
 
She reached in her bag and took out two cans of sodas, one orange, the other
red, both wielded innocently in one hand; her bandaged one, again, hanging
lazily by her side. She pointed both cans to me, as if to ask which I
preferred. I took the orange.
 
"What's wrong with your arm?" I inquired, checking if the soda wasn't open.
 
She raised her bandaged arm and looked at it before answering. "I bruised it."
 
"How?" I pointed the soda away from me as I opened it. It fizzed, but didn't
explode like I expected it to. Bummer.
 
"I bruise really easily," the girl replied whilst I was off on my own
adventures through an imaginary Can Town. I shrugged and murmured an 'I see',
then tilted the can of soda for a drop of the liquid inside to fall on the soft
grass. I waited for a combustion that didn't occur.
 
We swung back and forth on the swings for a few minutes before she spoke again.
 
 “Hey, Vriska, darling?”
 
 “Hmm?” I replied, drinking the beverage that I gave up testing whether it was
spiked or not. Being safe takes too much work.
 
 “I’m Calliope.”
 
 I spat out the drink; there goes my chance of crying tears of joy.
 
 “The game reset me as well and, for some reason, I remembered everything after
a while”
 
 “What exactly do you remember?” I wiped my mouth of soda and spit, checking
for signs of dizziness or drowsiness.
 
 “What?”
 
 “Only our life during the game?” She paused and cocked her head to one side.
 
 “Wasn’t that the only life we’ve both lived through?”
 
 “Never mind,” I sighed. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.
 
 “I wanted to thank you for saving us...” she said, then added. “Although, I
think it would've been best if you didn’t...”
 
 “What do you mean?” I asked.
 
 “Um, Calib- I mean, Lord English can’t bring happiness. We were sent here to
have misfortune in our lives.” She looked down.
 
"Misfortune?" Everyone I saw so far seemed to be fine, unless they secretly had
a deadly disease that effects their immune system and were really good at
hiding it. Calliope turned to me and gave a sad smile.
 
 “I have leukemia."
 
 The night air seemed to freeze and time seemed to stop. The only sounds heard
at that moment were the chirping of crickets and the inhale and exhale of a
very ragged breath. I, too, sucked in a very unreassuringly deep breath,
matching the same soft inhales of her own. Letting it out with the cold breeze
that limited my rushing mind. She looked down on the ground, suddenly seeming
very small. We had both stopped swinging at this point.
 
I felt guilty for trusting Lord English to give my friends the best imaginable
life. But it was strange, the others seemed fine, so did he not consider
Calliope my friend? That wouldn’t make sense, however, as Calliope didn’t have
leukemia before.
 
 Was I already running out of the luck I stole?
 
Besides pure confusion, I felt an emotion I never felt before. As a Troll, I
guess I would've laughed at her and made fun of her to hide the pity, and
sadness, I might of felt. I guess my horrible self died off with my Troll self.
I felt a piercing pain in what would, on certain occasions, be known as a
'kokoro'. God, are humans really that weak? It makes me embarrassed to be one
of them. No offense if you’re human, it’s just...
 
You guys have no idea how much I hated being human.
 
I was hugging her before I realized what I was doing. Whispering words of
apology to her while my shirt got wet from her tears; I refuse to admit that
any were mine. At this close, I noticed that she had no hair.
 
When she sniffled, I pulled back and wiped a tear from her eye with my thumb.
She placed her hand on mine, as she stared deeply in my single blue eye. I
stared back into her big green ones. She was beautiful, but it wasn’t my place
to say so. It wasn’t my job, and I had a feeling I knew whose job it was.
 
 “Have you met any of the others?” I gently asked her. She nodded.
 
 “I went to your school last year, with this year's sophomores. I met most of
the dancestors and alpha kids...” her voice trailed off. I squeezed her hand
with reassurance. She gave the same broken smile as before, and continued. “-
but then stopped going because, my condition got worse,” she looked at me. “I’m
actually supposed to be in the hospital but...” She stopped.
 
 “What’s wrong?”
 
 “Ro- No… A friend called me and invited me to a party today,” she said and I
smiled inside, scowled on the outside, happy that she was close to someone. “I
couldn’t make it there, though.”
 
 “Why not? I bet if you go now, you can make-”
 
 “I can’t!” she yelled startling me. She sniffled once more. “I met Gamzee on
the way. He was going to pick up someone and since we were going to the same
place, I asked if we could go together... I then started talking to him on the
way there but before we got to the girls house...” she paused looking anywhere
but at me. I put a hand on her shoulder, as I wasn't sure what else I could do.
She seemed to calm down a bit.
 
 “He said something about the past and I got excited! I told him that I
remember too, but then... then he started acting different. He yelled at me and
told me that I shouldn’t associate with the rest. He said if I did, he was
going to hurt her, and... I don’t want her to get hurt! She’s important to me
and-”
 
 “Vriska?” We both stopped and looked at the direction the voice came from.
"Calliope?"
 
Oh God.
 
I let go of Calliopes hand, and quickly took of my jacket and threw it at her.
I then stood up and blocked any possible way to see Calliope from the direction
that the voice came from. It seemed that we had some uninvited guests.
 
 Rose and Roxy stood a few feet away, their eyes darting from me to the girl
now shaded from the light and void. I looked at them with strong and cold eyes,
warning them not to take the wrong move or ask the wrong question. With
intimidating scars littered across my arms, and pathetic ones printed on my
wrists, Rose got the message that they should back away. Roxy didn’t seem to
get it.
 
 “Vriska,” she said, trying her best to not slur her words. “What’s Calliope
doing here?” Roxy stumbled and I stepped forward to catch her, but Rose caught
before I could touch her. I noticed the movement; Gamzee told them something
about me.
 
 “Ha! Jealous?” I sneered, watching both Rose’s and Roxy’s expressions change.
 
“Why should we be jealous of a girl who was abandoned by her friends due to her
past behavior?” asked Rose. So that clown freak did say something about me. I’m
not surprised. What surprised me was that Roxy didn’t seem to care about my
past. Rose then looked at the cuts littered across my wrists. “You also cut
yourself."
 
 “What were you doing with Calliope?” Roxy asked ignoring Rose’s observations.
The slur in her speech was gone and I raised an eyebrow. No, she was still
drunk.
 
 “What were you doing?” I growled, pissed off by the fact that they were allied
with Gamzee and suspected me for hurting someone who I didn’t need to hurt. I
mean, seriously, do I look like someone willing to hurt the innocent? Wait,
don’t answer that. “Why weren’t you there for your girlfriend? Do you realize
what she’s going through? Don’t you know what’s-”
 
 “Vriska!” I stopped and turned. Calliope was wearing my jacket, hoodie
blocking the top of her head and face. I took me a moment to realize that Roxy
probably didn’t know about her illness. This made me even more pissed off.
“Please...” she looked at me with sad eyes.
 
“Fuck!” I yelled, hand connecting with the pole thing that holds swings up.
What is that thing called anyway? Anyway, it hurt like a bitch. I looked at my
hand and saw that it was bleeding; in return, that pole thing had my fist marks
in it. I learned two things at that moment. One, don’t hit things out of anger,
and two, I still had the strength of a Troll.
 
 Calliope and Rose were both shocked and concerned. Roxy was still tipsy.
 
I grabbed the front of Roxy’s tee and slammed her on the pole thing. She was
older than me by one year - although technically I was much older than all of
the resets - and shorter than me by at least two inches.
 
 She looked up at me, shocked, as I hoped for ways to get her sober without
waiting too long or killing her. Rose grabbed my arm and told me to let go.
Surprisingly, Calliope didn’t do anything. It only took me a moment to realize
that there was no point in knocking some sense into a drunken girl, so I let
her go.
 
 “It’s not fair,” I started, looking at my dirty red shoes. “You should pay
more attention to her. That way, you wouldn’t need a fucking stranger to come
to you and tell you what’s wrong with your own girlfriend.” I glanced at
Calliope and gave her a look that said ‘this is for your own good’.
 
 “She has leukemia,” Roxy’s and Rose’s eyes went wide. “Now fucking deal with
it. And do me a fucking favor and tell that asshole, Gamzee, that if he touches
any of my friends again, I won’t think twice about the human judiciary system.”
I looked at Calliope who was giving a live reenactment of the Niagara Falls,
her waterfall of tears illuminating due to the dim street lights. Roxy stood
still in her drunken state, trying to piece together a puzzle that wasn't all
that complicated to begin with. God, do I have to do everything for them?
 
“Fucking hug her!” I pushed Roxy towards the very sad human. Roxy looked at me
before slowly staggering to Calliope and wrapping her arms around the small
girls body, whispering word like 'It’s okay, I’m here now', and 'Don’t worry,
we will deal with this; together'. When I turned to leave Rose blocked my path.
 
 “What the fuck do you fucking wa-”
 
 "Who are you?" It was a question that hung in the still air for a good eight
seconds. I smiled as I spat out the first thing that came to mind.
 
 "I'm Batman, bitches," I jeered, sticking out the only finger that was
considered repulsive in the minds of 'proper' adults. She smiled, looking down
for her short bangs to hid her amusement, before looking up and letting out a
familiar word.
 
“Thanks,” she said looking at me with her violet eyes. She moved away freeing
the path of loneliness. I didn’t think fucking twice about walking down that
path again, and I don’t regret it.
 
 I am Vriska Serket.
 
 I don’t regret anything.
 
Chapter End Notes
     I just feel like I should be sorry about something....
     It's probably nothing.
***** Bloop *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Tuesday; October 2, 2012 - 10:20 PM
Bloop ===>
Not only did the knocking on her door caused her eyes to open, but a
notification on her computer gave the same effect. Glancing at the clock, then
at the books sprayed lazily before her, the girl fixes her glasses and stands
up, walking to the door, then proceeding to open it. She manages a weak smile
as she sees who it is.
 
 "Sorry to bother you, sport," the boy a year older than her starts. God, she
hated it when he called her 'sport'. "But I was wondering if I could borrow
your math book? I left mine at Dirk's place."
 
Jade gives a tired yawn, moving back into her room to the stack of books she
had laid out. She picks up a book with white bold letters reading Geometry.
Impulsively, Jade glances on her computer screen, and sees her Pesterchum
application light up, or, well, it actually seems to have been asking for
Jade's attention for the past few hours. All the messages, unsurprisingly, were
coming from a pair of brothers who she was tired of after a certain break up
with a certain sprite.
 
turntechGodhead [TG] began pesteringgardenGnostic [GG]
 
TG: hey
 
TG: oh
 
TG: youre asleep again arent you
 
TG: anyway
 
TG: my bro is looking for you
 
TG: he wont say why
 
TG: jade
 
TG: you there
 
TG: are you asleep
 
TG: cuz thats cool and all but
 
TG: my bro is kinda getting on my case
 
TG: and the current case wants nothing to do with the bro
 
TG: absolutely nothing
 
TG: are you really sleeping
 
TG: i never understood how you could sleep so much
 
TG: how is that even a thing
 
TG: sleep
 
TG: its like a temporary rest that is never temporary
 
TG: if feels as if you were sleeping for a second
 
TG: then your alarm goes
 
TG: hey man
 
TG: time to wake up
 
TG: and you would be all like
 
TG: what
 
TG: ive only been asleep for about five seconds
 
TG: then time will stare at you straight in the eye and say
 
TG: nope
 
TG: you’ve been asleep for six hours
 
TG: jade
 
TG: jade the alarm is going off right now
 
TG: time to wake up
 
TG: im sure its not intentional
 
TG: but we havent talked in a while
 
TG: not after the game
 
TG: i mean its been about 14 years jade
 
TG: well
 
TG: if you wake up pester bro
 
TG: he has something to tell you
 
TG: see you later
 
turntechGodhead [TG]  ceased pestering gardenGnostic [GG]  
 
Jade quickly scrolled through TG's messages, stopping from time to time to sigh
at the amount of uneasiness she got from his messages. After the game, she
really didn't know what to say to him, especially after what she did to the
mayor.
 
She then checks the next messenger, the one with the notification that blooped
her awake. She momentarily glances back to see Jake resting against the door
frame, examining the many adventure books littered across her floor. She
briefly contemplates the idea of getting a bookshelf. She quickly dismisses the
thought as her room wouldn't feel the same without the forts of books. She knew
that Rose would never approve her ridiculous uses of books. She never plans to
tell.
 
timaeusTestified [TT] began pestering  gardenGnostic [GG]  
 
TT: Hey Jade, you there?
 
GG: hey dirk!
 
GG: sorry, I was asleep
 
GG: whats up?
 
TT: Just wanted to let you know that Jake forgot his math book at my place.
 
TT: Not that I blame him.
 
TT: Who would want a book about numbers and how not to get a date?
 
GG: lol
 
GG: don't let karkat hear you
 
GG: he actually likes math
 
TT: Ha, well, this probably won't get to him.
 
TT: You know, with all the 'space' we give him
 
GG: yep! who knows, even if he does hear it, maybe he will have a change of
 
GG: heart
 
TT: Ha-ha, nice one.
 
GG: thanks : )
 
GG: and yes, ive heard about the book
 
GG: he was just asking to borrow mine
 
TT: Oh, really?
 
GG: yep!
 
GG: but why tell me?
 
GG: is something wrong?
 
TT: No.
 
TT: Well…
 
GG: : /
 
GG: i can detect lies with my doggy snout
 
TT: You must have a very good nose then, Ms. Harely
 
GG: you can't hide everything from the furries
 
GG: so, tell me!!!!
 
TT: Alright, I won't keep you on a tight leash.
 
GG: (hee hee)
 
TT: Well, after he left yesterday, he hasn't said a word to me yet.
 
TT: Not even at Latula's party.
 
GG: did you tell him something?
 
TT: …
 
TT: I asked him if he remembers.
 
GG: dirk!
 
TT: He doesn't, though.
 
GG: then whats the problem?
 
TT: That's what I wanted to ask you.
 
TT: I think he does remember, but maybe doesn't believe it?
 
TT: I don't know.
 
GG: don't worry, dirk
 
GG: ill talk to him!
 
TT: Thanks, yo.
 
TT: This means a lot to me, Jade.
 
GG: no problem! : )
 
GG: so
 
GG: see you tomorrow
 
TT: Yeah.
 
TT: See you.
 
timaeusTestified [TT]  ceased pestering  gardenGnostic [GG]  
 
"You can take it to school tomorrow, Jake," Jade said, emerging from her
shambles of books. "I don't need it for my class."
 
Jake takes the book, and gives Jade a smile. "That's aces! Thanks, Jade."
 
Jade manages to ape a smile as Jake leaves the room. She shuts the door
silently, before walking to her bed, covered by a mountain of Indiana Jones
books given to her by her brother. She picks one up, but after flipping to the
first page, suddenly feels uninterested in the task. She plops the book back on
the bed, turns, and exits her room.
Chapter End Notes
     The pesterchum stuff will be coloured.
      
     One day.
      
     EDIT: The deed has been done.
***** Regret *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Wednesday; October 3, 2012 - 12:20 PM
Regret ===>
Okay. First, didn’t I say that I do not approve of your fucking commands? And
second, yes, I do regret walking the path of loneliness. Don’t judge me! I’m
not a Troll anymore, I can’t kill people for food; I actually have to buy it
with the cash I don’t have.
 
So here I was, lying on my bed, stomach growling as I wondered why I couldn’t
find a cheap place to eat. Even McDonalds will do, but when I checked it up on
Google maps, on a laptop I found in a dumpster, it was about two miles away.
 
The government helps fund my living expenses. Sadly, food expenses are not
included in this great deal. Putting food aside, I don’t have to pay for my
apartment bill and I don’t need to pay taxes.  
 
Nor does my fake guardian.
 
Lord English was listed as my guardian and ‘we’ get help from the human
government somehow. Don’t ask me, I don’t read into all that insurance crap
because I don’t care. Sure I’ve been on Earth for a while now and yeah, I’ve
gotten in trouble a lot to know what the judiciary system is, but I don’t care
about politics.
 
That is basically my excuse for not knowing the way the human society works.
Deal with it.
 
No, Lord English is not here. I needed to fake his existence as it was
fundamentally better than going to a human wriggler center, even though I’m not
a human wriggler. As for the computer, it was functioning perfectly; I still
wonder why it was thrown out. I also wondered how Roxy and Calliope were doing.
Yeah, it was only about thirty minutes since I last saw them, but I care for my
friends.
 
I then spent the next eight seconds cursing under my breath.
 
I didn’t pay close attention to the one important thing out of everything
Calliope told me; she remembers. Even though she doesn't remember specific
timelines, she remembers a certain past, and I could use her memories to find
out Gamzee's deal. Also, I bet if I found out how Calliope remembered the past,
then making everyone else remember eight times easier. Was it because, unlike
the past timelines where she doesn’t remember, she now has leukemia, so when
she acquired that illness, the game’s resets were defected? Or did the finally
game notice my presence and as a reward it starting giving others their
memories back? Was it a reward for my apparent ‘killing’ of Lord English? Or
has the game malfunctioned and didn’t erase some of the memories of the Trolls
and humans?
 
What if, after all this time of being sent through different timelines, the
game hasn’t finished yet?
 
My hungry mind hurt as I started stressing out more. I looked over at the clock
on my wall; it was what Americans seem to call twelve thirty. I have no idea
what the European version is dubbed; don't really care as of now.
 
I sighed, rubbing my eyes with the bottom of my palms. Wow; my hands felt so
soft. It's as if this softness is beckoning me to shut my mind off and sleep
because, wow, I am starting to sound insanely deranged. I guess, I might as
well rest...
 
-------
 
Not much happened at school the next day besides, well, gossip.
 
As I walked through the halls towards my first class, I had to use all my
willpower to hold myself back from punching those who were talking about me
‘behind my back’, although they were talking so loud that I could hear them
from eight feet away. I was so tired from holding my anger back that I slept
through all of first and second period.  
 
Rumors spread from what happened the other day at the party in Skaia cafe.
 Rumors also spread about my encounter with Roxy and Rose at the park. Even as
to what my past was like. However, this was the only rumor that seemed to stay
stationary, as all the others changed over time.
 
I assumed that this rumor is the one Gamzee spread.
 
Apparently in my past as a human, Gamzee knew me. However, I was a maniac that
ended up paralyzing someone, murdering someone, and blinding someone. I also
ended up making someone go crazy. I’ll admit that I did the paralyzing,
murdering, and blinding, but not making someone go insane; I’m pretty sure
Sollux was sane back when we played the game together. Also according to the
rumors, I later got help, but during my treatment there was an accident and I
ended up losing my eye.
 
I was pissed at Gamzee, but the thing was, I didn’t want to prove him correct.
I didn’t want to show the whole school that these rumors were true and so when
these rumors came to the ears of teachers, they asked me what I would do. So I
told them.
 
I told them ‘nothing’.
 
I won’t do anything because it doesn’t really bother me and the whole truth is
covered by a bucket of lies anyway. I also didn’t do anything because I have
gone down that road before – and it didn’t really work out. No one came to
visit me at snack. I ditched my third period, P.E., because I was self
conscious about the scars on my body. I went to my fourth period, and at lunch,
Rose came by.
 
“Follow me,” she said. A command. I forgave her since she didn’t know, or
remember, how badly I hated being commanded; I was a blue blood, but I wasn’t
Equius. I followed her out of my classroom; there were eyes on both of us. I
heard whispers and when I clenched my fists, Rose put her hand on my shoulder.
She gave a slight shake of her head, as if to tell me not to pay attention to
the gossip. She grabbed my arm and led, half dragged, me up some stairs. The
next thing I knew I was looking through a door that lead to the place I met
her; the roof.
 
I saw Roxy wave at me from beside Jane. On the bench overlooking the school
John was showing Jade and Dirk what seemed to be a magic trick. Dave was
talking to Equius about something that I couldn’t understand. Terezi and Nepeta
were, uh, role-playing? I don’t want to get started on what Karkat was doing
with Sollux and Eridan. This time I saw everyone except for Aranea, Meulin, and
Kanaya. Calliope seemed to be an exception and even Gamzee was there.
 
I looked at Rose and, as I was about to ask, she told me that Gamzee didn’t say
anything about me; the rumors were spread by someone else. I looked at Rose,
then at the rest. Some began noticing that I was there. Terezi stopped role-
playing with Nepeta and started walking towards us.
 
I could accept this, just pretend nothing happened and chill with them until my
high school life was over. It isn’t hard to fake anything, especially after all
the experience I have that will allow me to avoid doomed timelines. Though,
something was missing. Looking at all of the people currently on the roof, I
couldn’t accept it.
 
It wasn’t Gamzee, although it would be best if the rest would stop trusting him
as much as they do now. I mean, I could get used to Gamzee, who, unlike me, is
usually all bark and no bite. The memories weren’t much of a problem either
although it did bug me a bit. Then again, I personally didn’t want some of them
to remember what I did in the past, but you can't always get what you want.
 
The problem was, however, that I wasn't entirely a part of this timeline. I
mean, sure, I remember everything about my alternate timeline versions - sadly
even the feelings they held for certain beings - but I am not technically the
same 'person' anymore. Besides, how could I possibly make them happy when this
timeline was dubbed as 'misfortunate'?
 
A thought then crossed my mind. There might be something I could do to make
everyone happy. I quickly turned to Rose.
 
“I have something I need to do,” I told her and she opened her mouth to
chastise me about how excuses won’t get me out of this. I didn’t like being
reprimanded, so I didn’t let her speak. “Is there anyone in this school named …
?” I refrained from using her last name as I didn’t know what last name her
ancestor was using. “If not, what about … and …?” Rose looked at me.
 
“All of them attend this school, why?”
 
“Where can I find them? One will do for now.” Rose seemed to understand the
importance of my question because she immediately replied.
 
“The library,” She answered. “I do not understand why you would need to speak
with- hey!” I didn’t let her finish. I bolted down the stairs and towards a
place I would never visit even if my life depended on it. However, I went
regardless.
 
Chapter End Notes
     Excuse my lack of knowledge on American insurance policies and
     politics.
***** Follow me *****
Wednesday; October 3, 2012 - 12:15 PM
Follow_me ===>
"I'm going to the roof, want to tag along?"
 
The boy raised his head just above the arms that lay crossed on his desk. He
had slept through math class, and he sure as hell didn't feel proud about it. A
yawned escaped his mouth as he glanced up at the long haired girl, smiling
shyly at the tired boy. He got up and grabbed his backpack, stuffing whatever
he found to be his in the bag. He turned to the girl and in his wavy sounding
accent said:
 
"Whatever."
 
He followed the long haired girl, eyes on the back of her head, understanding
that no matter how hard he tried, he could never manage to gaze at the other
side - without screwing up, that is. He sighed wondering how many times he was
rejected in the past month. Not counting the confessions he practiced with his
brother, the number ends up being more than ten.
 
He briefly paused when they passed by the library. The glass window surrounding
the room gave him a clear image of his appearance. He scratched the back of his
head, his black hair messily falling across his eyes. He had given up on using
hair gel to keep his hair slicked backwards. The few strands of hair, colored a
deep violet, were one shade cooler that the girl he was following.
 
"Is something wrong?" He glanced at the girl; she had noticed him stop.
 
He looked through the glass door of the school library, eyes catching the jaded
being that held a similar appearance to him. He sighed and shook his head.
"No."
 
They continued up a fleet of stairs, ending up on the roof of the school. The
girl went off to greet her fellow friends. He scanned the surrounding, and as
he caught sight of two of the boys who find time to hang out with him, he
started walking. The male with the glasses noticed him first.
 
"Hey, fuckass." He glared at the boy briefly, before turning to the more
respectable being of the two.
 
"Hello, Karkat," he managed a smile: a tired one. The grumpy little boy looked
at him before muttering a similar greeting. They all sighed in unison.
Wednesdays were slow days.
 
"You guys going to Terezi's birthday?" Sollux piped up, yawning in the
strangely warm October air.
 
"If she fucking decides to invite us, then yes," the short boy grumbled. "What
about you, Eridan?"
 
Eridan shook his head before speaking. "I have stuff to do."
 
"Seriously?" Sollux jeered. "Like what- jacking off?" He was shoved back with
two angry hands, but before those hands can in contact with his skull, the
short boy intervened.
 
"For the love of a fuckbagging bulgefondler, would you two stop fighting every
five fucking seconds!?" The boy ran his hand through his hair, then glanced
towards the entrance to the roof, where his eyes contracted in shock. "Shit."
 
Both boys followed his gaze towards where Rose stood next to a fairly
attractive blonde, who on most cases would be attractive if two of the three
males didn't know her personally.
 
Eridan followed the short boys example. "Fuck."
 
A few moments later the girl bolted down the stairs, as if she were running
from a colossal Titan. Eridan glanced at Rose to see Terezi approach her. No
wonder the blonde ran away.
 
Sollux, out of curiosity, walked towards both females, but later returned with
news on what happened. He didn't say anything until one of them asked.
 
"She had something to do," Sollux responded seriously, although his lisp
blocked any chance of him seeming serious. "She asked Rose where a certain
person was, and Rose told her. The blonde then ran to the library."
 
"The library!?" Eridan took a step back and closed his eyes. "Shit, shit, shit-
"
 
"What the fuck has gotten you so worked up?" Sollux asked with a scoff, then
glanced at the short boy. "Karkat?"
 
Karkat held a similar look of mortification on his countenance. He looked at
Eridan and, with the last strand of hope he possessed, asked  him-
 
"-is she...?" Eridan looked away before responding.
 
"My sister is at the library," he muttered.
 
"Do you think he will notice her now?"
 
"I hope not," murmured the prince of hope. He examined the rooftop to see
Gamzee approach Rose and Terezi, now surrounded by a group of people. Eridan
cringed.
 
"Karkat, give me that tennis ball you keep with you," he said with a hesitant
gulp.
 
"Why?"
 
"Just do it." He was handed the ball, to which he gripped and aimed. Karkat
looked at him in mortification.
 
"You're asking for a fucking death wish," he said worryingly. "Don't do it,
Eridan." The boy looked at his two friends; one who knew, the other confused.
 
"Better than getting sawed in half," he said and threw the ball. 
***** Vriska, embrace the library *****
Wednesday; October 3, 2012 - 12:25 PM
Vriska,_embrace_the_library ===>
Uh, how about, no. Besides, I have nothing against libraries; they are just way
too boring for my taste.
 
I walked into the quiet environment and started my search. I didn’t know which
Troll I may find here, neither did I know if there was one here at this moment,
but that didn’t stop me. I gave a slight nod of greeting to the librarian who
seemed to have heard of me, as she instinctively ushered me over. I complied.

“I expect you to stay quiet in this library,” she said putting a finger to her
lips. I glanced at the name tag sitting on her desk; Mrs. Snowman. Wow,
married, huh?

“I didn’t expect staff members to believe rumors as well,” I told her and
walked to the stacks of shelves that comprised of many books. After looking
around the history section for Aranea and not finding her, I noticed a poster
on the wall that had the words ‘Twilight’. It was about the human equivalent of
the trolls Rainbow Drinker. They were known as Vampires.

Vampires.

Rainbow Drinker.

Oh God.

I went towards the nonfiction section. I searched for tabs that indicated books
on the supernatural. When I looked down the aisle of two shelves with this tab,
I saw a girl looking for a book, or, at least, reading a section of every book
she came across before putting them neatly back into the shelf. A small smile
crept on my face as I realized why Rose replied so quickly to my question.
 
I was smiling for a while until I realized that I would seem weird so instead I
put on a serious face and started looking for books that I had no intention of
reading. I would sometimes pause and pull out a book while glancing at her.

She had short black hair and jade colored eyes. She wasn’t as tall as me, but
wasn’t too short either; I’d say about 5.4’. She had light chocolate colored
skin from a possible African ancestry, but her skin wasn’t as dark as a
natives. She wore a stylish red skirt that I heard was going into fashion
lately. She had a ruffled shirt on that was in style years ago but she looked
amazing in it. She had sneakers on, but they looked very fancy and matched the
rest of her outfit perfectly. Everything about her was elegant and, yeah, I
knew exactly who this was. I also knew the reason she wasn’t hanging out with
the rest.

I decided to play this cool, just looking at some books, and when she was
trying to reach a book on the uppermost shelf that she couldn’t reach; that’s
where I stepped in.

“Thank you,” she said in a surprisingly non verbose manner as I handed her the
book. She didn’t look at my face so I smiled.

“Your welcome, Fussyfangs,” I told her, then turned pretending to look at more
books.

I forgot to mention this before but everyone sounds the same as they did in the
game, and Kanaya seemed to recognize my voice. Even if she didn’t recognize my
voice, I had said her nickname, and no one but I, Vriska Serket, ever called
Kanaya, Fussyfangs. I glanced at her realizing that she had stopped looking at
books and was looking at me. I decided to copy her action and do the same to
her.

“I gave you long enough,” I informed her. “Longer than eight seconds, you
should compliment my newfound patience.” She looked at me, eyes widening.

“Vriska?” she asked in disbelief and when I flicked her off, she covered her
mouth. I saw the start of tears.

“I’m a changed person now, and as your ex-morail, I’ll allow you to hug-” I
didn’t need to finish as she was already hugging me whispering how she missed
me and how she thought I was dead.

“How did you... survive such a dangerous battle? Did you defeat the foe that
was so powerful that not even the aspect of teamwork worked against him?” she
asked suddenly becoming her wordy self again. She craned her neck to look up at
me. Was I going to tell her I lost? Fuck no. Though, I wasn’t going to lie to
her either.

“Lord English is dead,” I informed her. “That’s all you need to know.”

“Thank goodness,” she said letting out a sigh that she seemed to have been
holding for a number of years. She hugged me tighter. “I’m glad you are alive,
Vriska. I feel much satisfied knowing that you were not ripped to pieces by a
green beast who sense of pervertedness does not correspond with anyone else’s.”
She suddenly seemed so small and sad in my arms; the usual exquisiteness
disappeared for a moment. “It was... lonely in the world of the humans. I
thought I could coexist with them but-”

“Rose doesn’t remember,” I said, gently pulling her back to look in her eyes.
It seems like I was right; like usual. “That’s why I’m going to fix the mess I
created. I need you to promise me that you won’t ask any questions about
whatishappening, what is going to happen, and what hashappened, and that you
will answer all the questions I ask. It will be safer that way for you, and
more convenient for me. If you know too much you might get hurt, and I don’t
want to deal with a doomed timeline human.”

She nodded in agreement with my terms and policies.
 
“I also need you to avoid Makara at all costs. The same goes with my dancestor
and the older Leijon, until I find them and see what’s up. If you want to talk
to someone who remembers, there is me... and Calliope. I’m your best bet,
unless you want to go with the Lalonde's to visit Calliope at a hospital.” I
knew she wanted to ask why Calliope was in the hospital, but she didn’t as she
remembered my terms. She looked at me and smiled, her eyes filled with the
usual life I remember seeing.

“What would you like to be briefed about, Vriska?” I pulled her close and
hugged her again, realizing how much I actually missed her.

“That was a question, stupid.”
***** Please stop sweating on me *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Friday; October 5, 2012 - 8:25 PM
Please_stop_sweating_on_me ===>
He was sitting in the living room, resting, as he drank the last glass of milk
left in the household. He glanced around as he brought the glass to his lips,
allowing the last drop of pure milk fall tastefully down his throat. Around him
were the relatives of the girl he was visiting, along with his older brother.
 
A young man stood tactlessly near the entrance of the room, quietly awaiting
the command of release from his mother, and occasionally glancing at the door
leading outside, as if he felt something bad was about to transpire. Equius
also felt that way, sweating away the only drops of worry he possessed, and
there were enough drops to fill many buckets.
 
Nepeta and Meulin left for a convenience store that was supposedly only a few
blocks away from their household. His brother and he offered to go with them,
but both girls declined, stating how guests should simply lay back and play
with their cat, Pounce de Leon, a name that they all knew well. The cat, on the
other hand, stood up on all four just as soon as the girls left, meowing
endlessly, awaiting her owners return. Only moments after they left, however,
it had started pouring. 
 
"They're late," Equius commented. The thundering roar of rain outside pelted
his hushed words.
 
"Indeed," his brother retorted, glancing up from his homework. Kankri, who sat
across from Horuss, also glanced over at the strangely muscular sophomore. He
then turned to his own brother.
 
"Karkat." The younger boy looked up, mystified by his own thoughts, but then
held a look of mortification from being acknowledged by his older brother. "How
long has it been since our two beloved siblings embarked on their trek to the
convenience store in order to purchase a fine grade of low fat milk, as we, the
Vantas family, lack, because it was finished about five minutes ago?"
 
"They left thirty minutes ago, fuckface," the younger boy grumbled. He turned
his attention back at the door and didn't say another word. His elder brother
opened his mouth to speak, but as Horuss shook his head to indicate the worry
that they all felt, Kankri fell silent. It was then Equius who spoke up.
 
"I will go search for them."
 
Horuss stifled a chuckle. "Although I am amused about the care you put in
Nepeta's wellbeing, they are fine." He gave a smile, subtly shaking his head to
let his long bangs fall away from his eyes; it has been a while since they both
visited a barbers shop.
 
"Horuss is right, Equius," Kankri spoke up, clearing his throat. "They probably
ran into some traffic along the way; either that, or a stray cat."
 
"Or they ran into some trouble," Karkat murmured, his face holding an
expression unknown to even himself. It was raining, neither of the two would be
considered a possibility, only the latter seemed plausible at that moment.
However, regardless of what he thought, Equius trusted his brother's judgment,
as he gave a small shrug, then closed his eyes. His mind then wanderered to a
distant thought that he didn't recognize.
 
There was something… blue. There was also a color that seemed to be a shade of
green. The colors held no importance to him, but he felt some dominance to
both; the blue being greater than the green. However, in this scenario, both
colors felt disgustingly dry and weak. Neither held any dominance, none was
higher than the other, both were simply the same dull shade. A chill fell down
his spin as a shade of deep purple clouded his senses, the smell that reminded
him of blood tantalized his nose. He abruptly opened his eyes, sweat dripping
down his skin. Glancing around, he saw that neither of the boys noticed his
moment of fear.
 
His attention was then caught by the knocking of the front door.
 
"See, what did I tell you?" Horuss said, as Karkat went over to open the door.
"There was nothing to worry about."
 
All four gazes traveled towards the door as it opened. A girl too short for her
age was outlined by the bombardment of rain. Even as it was raining, it was
obvious that the girl had been crying.
 
She pounced to the warm fort of her younger brothers arms, weeping, as the
three other men joined to see what the matter was. The girl looked up; it was
Karkat and Kankri's sister. She snuggled closer to the warmth of her brother,
then slowly let out a muffled sound. Neither of the boys heard her, so she drew
back from Karkat and opened her mouth to say words that stirred all four into
defiance.
 
"She was kidnapped." 
 
Chapter End Notes
     Did I ever mention how bad I am at making titles of chapters?
***** Heroes are supposed to show up last minute *****
Chapter Notes
     Yo. I tagged it but, well, TRIGGER WARNING. Viewer discretion is
     highly advised. I also don't think I have to remind, but I'll do it
     anyway; this is a tragedy.
     So yeah.
     If you do read it, enjoy.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Friday; October 5, 2012 - 8:25 PM
Heroes_are_supposed_to_show_up_last_minute===>
"You have two choices, " the tall boy said, swinging his knife around as if it
were nothing but a plaything. "Either you tell me where Vriska Serket lives,
or…" He stuck his thumb back at the group of corrupt men, each with their
respectable scar and tattoo symbolizing the gang they were in. "I'll leave you
here with them."
 
The girl, tied down by ropes on a very uncomfortable rocking chair, shed tears
as she repeated herself for the fifth time in the last fifteen minutes. "I
don't know!"
 
The boy let out three tsk's,using the knife as a finger, as he shook it to
reveal his disapproval. He brought the knife, and as before, sliced through the
fabric hiding her chastity. She shrieked as the cool blade proceeded to leave a
slash through her skin.
 
"Oops," the boy said in mock innocence. "My bad, didn't mean to cause you
discomfort."
 
The girl glared at him with the strength that she was too stubborn to give up.
The boy laughed out loud, glancing back at the group of men who, realizing the
cruelty of the boy before them, laughed along. When the boy was satisfied, he
then turned his attention back to the girl, smiling sweetly at her, as he
reached behind her and grabbed the top rail of the chair.
 
He pushed her backwards, but before the back of her head could reach the
ground, he grabbed the chair and left her dangling. He jabbed the knife into
the chair close to the crevice of her thighs, sharp edge pointing towards her.
The girl looked at the knife aghast, briefly predicting what pain she would
have to face if he let go of the chair.
 
"You have one more motherfucking chance," he said in a terribly loud and
frightening tone. "Either you chose to tell me, or you don't live to have
kids." He didn't smile, he just stared at the girl who, at that moment, gave up
her stubborn ideals and started weeping. This made the boy angry.
 
"Tell me where Serket motherfucking is and you wouldn't have to fucking deal
with this shit, Maryam!" He yelled as if it were the most obvious thing in the
world. The girl then found her chance.
 
"I'm not Maryam!" She yelled desperately. The anger he held suddenly turned
into shock.
 
"What!?" His eyes went wide, mouth agape.
 
"My name is Nepeta!"
 
The girl screamed in agony as Gamzee unconsciously let go of the chair and
stepped back. He realized his mistake far too late, but didn't have the time to
regret it.
 
"Boss!" Gamzee turned around to see one of the members of the gang run up to
him. "A bunch of guys busted in up front and are beating the shit out of
everyone there!"
 
"How many are there exactly?"
 
"I hear about six, I don't know if there are more; one of them is that brat we
beat up the other day," another pitched in. Gamzee looked at the two men and
breathed in.
 
"Give me a gun." One handed him the weapon with its own holster.
 
"It only has one bullet, we didn't manage to salvage much from the last time we
got caught having loaded guns." Gamzee nodded understandingly. He strapped the
holster across his waist.
 
"Don't worry, I'll think about a creative way to use the bullet," he said to
the two men.
 
He then glanced back at the girl, the chair rocking back and forth, as she
cried in pain. He went towards her, pulled the knife away, and slashed the
ropes tying her down. She, having no strength to sit, fell straight to the
ground where the sound of her sobbing came out as a muffled cry.
 
"Let's get out of here," Gamzee commanded. The men nodded in agreement and
yelled the message to the others, who scrambled up from their resting position,
readying themselves to escape. The girl looked up at Gamzee, and after a few
blinks, her breath hitched.
 
"Gam…zee?" The boy looked down at her. She remembered. He gripped the knife and
approached her; he couldn't risk being generous.
 
Before he could do anything, however, the doors of the broken down hideout were
kicked open by a tall boy, demeanor yet far too young to be considered a man.
Gamzee cursed, and turned away from the girl, but before he left, he gave the
girl an apology he had no right to give. He ran before the tall boy could reach
him, but instead of being followed, as he expected, the tall boy's priorities
were the girl.
 
"Equius…" the girl let out weakly. Once again, Gamzee cursed under his breath.
 
Before Gamzee could even reach the back exit, he noticed that the room had been
emptied of people. He stopped when he saw that no one followed Equius in;
Equius had entered the building alone.
 
"Who did this to you?" Equius asked Nepeta, gritting his teeth angrily. "Who
was it?"
 
"It was me," Gamzee said, creeping up from behind the tall boy. Equius turned
to face the being who caused his friend's discomfort. "Motherfucking problem,
sir?"
 
The tall boy rose to his feet and ran towards Gamzee. He threw two punches,
both which Gamzee easily dodged. He jumped back, smile on face.
 
"Equius, don't fight him!" Nepeta yelled, trying to stand up to reach her
beloved friend. Her knees buckled as she slumped back down. "He has a-"
 
Bang.
 
Gamzee tucked the weapon back in its holster, before turning and running away.
 
The tall boy collapsed, breathing heavily. He looked back at the girl who was
trying so hard to reach him. He opened his mouth, but realized that he didn't
know what to say but a repeated apology. The girl crawled towards him and
hugged his head, bringing it near her chest. He brought his hands around her
small waist and cried. He cried until he felt the dominance of blue fade away,
and green follow shortly after.
 
"I'm sorry…" he managed quietly. "I couldn’t save you… again…"
 
The girl planted a kiss on his forehead, accepting the apology that wasn't
needed, she regretfully couldn't muster the energy to say so. "It's okay… we're
both okay… now…"
 
Only moments later did the sound of sirens bring the still air back to life. A
set of footsteps followed shortly, along with the cries of the five remaining
heroes who didn't show up on time.
 
Chapter End Notes
     If you are horrified, please look at pictures of cats, because cats
     fix everything. Trust.
     On a side note, Happy Halloween.
***** Suspected for a crime you did not commit *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Saturday; October 6, 2012 - 7:46 AM
Suspected_for_a_crime_you_did_not_commit ===>
That sounds like it would suck; like, really suck. The amount of suck that it
would have is as much as a sesquipedalian word hyphened with another
sesquipedalian word. That's how much it would suck as no one even understands
the point of such ridiculously long words. It's as if the English language is
staring you straight in the eye and taunting you to spell such long words. And
as I do not fall to such temptations, it doesn't really suck for me.
 
Although in this situation, I may under the cognition of 'sucking'.
 
Even though the lack of tumult made from passing cars reminded me that it was a
weekend, I was up and running at six in the morning. I began my with the usual
antics; taking a shower to brushing my teeth, but as I threw what few clothes I
had into a laundry bin I realized that the amount of filth this apartment
possessed was completely ridiculous to the point where I would probably need to
call for a dust exterminator. Hypothetically, beings known as 'maid' are a
clear substitute for dust exterminators, but I believe dust exterminators to be
quite quaint.
 
Anyway, I was cleaning up my room when a knock broke the silence of a broom
dancing against the smooth wood surface of a floor. I straightened my back, as
well as grabbed a pair of pants, on my way to the front door. I looked through
the peephole and saw glasses, black hair, and an unfamiliar uniform. I stepped
back and thought of my next move.
 
"Open up, Vriska Serket," the voice boomed. "I'm from the police department; I
have some questions I would like to ask you."
 
I was taken aback for a moment. Police department? What did I do this time?
Scratching the back of my head, I opened to door to see a woman look up at me.
I blinked and tried not to laugh because it is really hard to take people
shorter than you seriously; no offense to anyone who's short, but, it's true.
 
"Vriska Serket, I presume?" the short female asked.
 
I shrugged my shoulders. "And you are?"
 
"Redglare, Teresa Redglare," she replied flashing what seemed to be an official
recognition of her occupation; a badge with the word 'detective' engraved on
it.
 
"Okay," I toned, stretching out the word as long as it seemed fit. "What do you
want?"
 
"Due to a kidnapping that occurred, as well as what is dubbed as an attempted
murder, a victim claimed your name." She fixed her glasses before continuing.
"Therefore I would like to hear how you are tied with this incident."
 
I thought for a moment, but was still not sure what she was singing. "What
incident?"
 
"It's tied with The Felt." She paused; I blinked.
 
"Who are they?" If she wasn't trained to have self control, then I bet her jaw
would have been on the floor.
 
"They are the local gang," she replied, eyeing me suspiciously. "Anyway, where
were you last night?"
 
Instead of answering I decided to make her have a bad day. "I never said I was
Vriska Serket." She gritted her teeth and managed a sigh in order to calm her
rancor.
 
"My… mistake, who must you be, then?"
 
"Vriska Serket."
 
"But you just-"
 
"I never said that I wasn't Vriska Serket." She glared at me with the eyes of a
hungry tiger scouting her prey.
 
"I see. Well then, Vriska Serket, where were you last night?"
 
"Last night?" I inquired jeeringly. "You have to be more specific. What time in
the evening do you mean?"
 
"Eight," she spat, showing me all her teeth.
 
"Here," I said pointing down. "I was at home, would you also like an address?"
 
One of her eyes twitched as she responded. "Was there anyone with you at the
night of the incident?"
 
"Nope," I quipped, as I stretched the 'o' out for as long as I could.
 
"Do you have an alibi?"
 
"Ask the neighbors," I said. "Is that all?"
 
"No," she said as if it were a formal invitation of challenge. "I may have a
few more."
 
I smirked, "I'm all ears."
 
"What is your relationship with Equius Zahhak and Nepeta Leijon?"
 
"Never heard of them."
 
"That is quite unlikely, Ms. Serket," the detective claimed. "They both knew
your name very well."
 
"Can't blame them; I'm quite the 'topic' on school grounds."
 
"So you know that they go to your school?"
 
"Seems that way, doesn't it?"
 
"It sure does."
 
"Too bad I don't know them."
 
"Your lies are easily seen through," she informed me, once again, fixing her
glasses. "You'd have to think of another one; how do you know Equius Zahhak and
Nepeta Leijon?"
 
"Long story."
 
"I have the time," she informed me. I sucked in a deep breath.
 
"I'm a time traveling alien from the planet Alternia on a quest to save my
friends from their demise, as playing a game called Sburb or Sgrub will promote
such an outcome, as well as to bring back their memories before I get caught by
a clown that will eventually realize, if he hasn't already, that he wants me
dead," I said all in one breath, then smiled. "I'm also on a mission to find
true love."
 
I swear I saw smoke radiating off her light skin. "Although I told you to find
a better lie, I didn't mean it in a literal sense."
 
"I wasn't lying," I said with a completely serious face. She seemed taken aback
as she couldn't detect the lie in my terms. "What else would you like to know?"
 
She sighed. "Nothing; I may come around later if I need anymore." She bit her
lower lip as if she was holding something important back.
 
"What?" I inquired. She didn't seemed shocked at my keen observation skills.
 
"Don't go to the crime scene," she said quietly. I tilted my head.
 
"What?"
 
"If you really are being hunted by a… clown, then don't go to the scene."
 
"I don't even know where it is," I informed her. She let out a breath of relief
like she was actually concerned and wasn't displaying huge displeasure at me
only moments before.
 
"Kids shouldn't get involved in this mess," she murmured, before turning and
leaving. I shut the door, then ran to my window, watching her reach a car. She
knocked on the window of the car and said something to the driver. She later
walked away to a different car and drove off. The other car stayed parked at
its spot.
 
I looked around my room; the task I bestowed upon myself was cleaning, but with
the scent of adventure so close within my grasps, I couldn't resist the
temptation. I changed into something I could run in, grabbed a jacket, and left
through the fire escape.
Chapter End Notes
     Reason #302 why I physically and mentally can't be a detective.
***** Warehouse madness *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Saturday; October 6, 2012 - 10:13 AM
Warehouse_madness_===>
Finding the place was easy; getting inside was the problem.
 
Back plastered on the side of a building, glancing to the many police officers
loitering and monitoring the place, I realized that what Redglare said about me
staying home would have been the more intelligent decision, but the curiosity I
felt, and an adventurous outcome so close within my grasp, I really couldn't
help putting myself in danger.
 
I breathed out, seeing the breath, as well as smelling the odor of peppermint,
that temporarily fogged up my glasses. I put on a cap I bought from street
venders a few blocks ago and silently crept behind some guards, finding a new
wall to hide behind. Voices of officers pierced the cold air, along with the
sound of footsteps and the occasional chuckle from a bird deciding the best
time to migrate to the warmer hemisphere.
 
I breathed out once again, before slipping into the warehouse.
 
It was just what I expected it to be; bare. The rotten pipes and unused
mattresses sprayed across the place produced an odor that one would normally
barf to; the cold air only making the odor even worse. I walked up, casually
passing the caution tape that stood in the way of my adventurous and detective-
like activities, but other than the dried blood marks and a broken chair, there
was nothing to be investigated.
 
I wandered around, taking pictures with my phone of everything that would seem
suspicious, and used to find the culprit. There weren't any weapons on the
scene, to which I assumed were already gathered and taken for examination. So
instead I inspected the chair. I tilted the chair back and let go. Although
broken, it still swayed back and forth. Glancing down I saw blood stains on the
rim of the seat, and just above a hole punctured by something. A knife? Maybe
something duller? It was an old chair after all; even a pencil would pierce
through its gentle domain.
 
I heard the shuffling of feet just outside the entrance; loud voices announcing
terminology that I could just barely make out, but not entirely understand. I
looked around, and saw what would be a back exit, but before I turned the knob
to leave, I was discovered.
 
"Hey, you, who are you?" the being who I assumed was an officer boomed.
Deciding against answering such a stereotypically rhetoric question, I ran out
the door to an alleyway. Glancing right, I saw a police officer smoking a
cigarette, glancing left, I saw nothing.
 
"Who are you?" the officer asked, putting his cigarette out.
 
I turned and ran to the void opposite of him. I glanced back to see that he was
getting ready to run, but as he reached the back door, it flew open and he was
knocked back. Stifling a chuckle for a later date, I faced forward and kept
running, occasionally turning corners and expanding the abyss that was unknown
to me. When I decided that I was fairly far from the warehouse, I slowed into a
jog, glancing back to make sure that there really was no one behind me while I
riskily turned left-
 
-and bumped into someone.
 
Although I stayed standing, the person who I bumped into didn't share the same
luck I did. On the floor, he glanced up to me, blue eyes piercing my own,
although his much warmer in comparison. I held out a hand, and he took it,
standing up and brushing the nonexistent dust off his pants.
 
"Sorry," I managed, trying my best to seem sincere, but at the same time,
trying my best to maintain my old identity in the process. He fixed his
glasses, and ran a hand through his black hair, before deciding to smile.
 
"Hey, don't worry about it," he said, his goofy smile adding depth to his tan
skin.
 
"Well, then, I'll see you-"
 
I heard the sound of yelling, two voices which sounded familiar, and a couple
others which were unknown to me. I looked around the corner I just turned to
see six police officers and two shepherds; one officer held an ice pack on his
cheek. I faced the boy again, who had also looked to see the officers, and
after glancing at the expression on my face, he seemed to have realized that
they were after me. I tried brushing past him, but he grabbed my arm. I cursed
as silently as I could.
 
"Let me go," I said through gritted teeth.
 
He strengthened his grip on my arm and spoke as if quoting a movie. "Who would
let go of a criminal they just caught?"
 
"I'm no criminal," I muttered just about loud enough for him to hear. The dogs
barked as if to mock my presence. 
 
"Then what are you?" he asked with pure curiosity.
 
"Keep me here any longer and you won't be able to find out."
 
He paused for a moment, barks and men getting closer. He then let go of my arm
to grab my hand and run, dragging me from behind. The direction he ran however
was what confused me; he ran away from the cops.
 
A few blocks away, we arrived at a coffee shop, and he treated me to some dark
coffee. We sat down, face to face at a window seat. We sipped coffee in
silence, the occasional loud slurp startling the other. He cleared his throat
before speaking.
 
"My name's John," he said, sipping his coffee before continuing. "What's your
name?"
 
"Don't have one," I said, hoping he wouldn't inquire any longer. To my dismay,
he did.
 
"Come on, everyone has a name," he mused, smiling off my harsh retort.
 
"Well, I don't."
 
He sighed. "Didn't your parents give you one?"
 
"I don't have parents."
 
He piped down and sipped his coffee, glancing away as if to think of a polite
way to respond. Although his discomfort confused me, I didn't feel compelled to
make him feel otherwise. I remained silent even after he whispered a hushed
apology. Only minutes later did he speak up again.
 
"I know what you are…" he said, sipping his coffee. I tilted my head.
 
"What?"
 
"I know what you are," he repeated, looking at me with daring eyes.
 
"You're not seriously-"
 
"Your skin is pale white and ice cold. Your eyes are an unusual blue, and you
speak like… like you're from a different time. I've only seen you drink black
coffee. You had cops after you," he paused dramatically, looking away before
glancing back at me with shocked eyes. "...How old are you?"
 
"John, you're not seriously quoting-"
 
"How long have you been that serious?" he said, making me smile.
 
"A while."
 
"I know what you are."
 
"Say it… out loud." I looked at him dead in the eye. "Say it!"
 
"I can't," he said, pouting. "I would if you told me your name, though."
 
I laughed, but then gave him a sad smile. "I really have no name."
 
He frowned before cutting to the chase. "Why were they after you?"
 
"No reason."
 
"Did you steal something?" I thought for a moment before responding.
 
"I didn't… but they think I did."
 
"What do they think you stole?"
 
"It's best if you don't inquire."
 
"Why not?"
 
"It's dangerous." I sipped the coffee, finishing it.
 
"Just tell me," he said, giving a smile that made me feel weird inside. "I'm
pretty tough."
 
I pushed my chair back whilst sighing. "They think I stole…"
 
"Don't leave me in suspense here," he looked up as I stood on my two feet. "I
bought you coffee."
 
I paused, taking a deep breath of contemplation of whether I should ruin his
ideals or not. "They believe that I stole a life." His smile faltered and he
looked down.
 
"You're joking, right?" He gave a nervous laugh, smiling weakly.
 
"Thanks for the coffee, and…" I looked away, unable to look in his chaste blue
eyes. "…for not turning me in."
 
He simply nodded, staying slumped in his seat. I left the cafe and walked as
fast as I could away from it. I decided to go home, but as I reached it, I
found Redglare standing outside. She looked at me as I walked towards her, but
as she opened her mouth to speak, I passed her by as if she weren't there.
Unfortunately she reached out and grabbed my shoulder.
 
"Where were you?" I glanced back.
 
"Isn't this considered assault," I retorted with lifeless eyes.
 
She gritted her teeth while pulling her hand away. "Answer my question."
 
"I don't feel like it…" I informed her with clear defiance.
 
"You are a suspect for a murder, Vriska Serket, in order to prove your
innocence-"
 
"I'm not a suspect," I snapped. "If I was, wouldn't I be in the slammer by now?
Being accused of a crime I did not commit?"
 
She looked at me, and I saw a trace of innocence in her eyes, even sadness. It
was almost as if she wanted to believe my words, but something was stopping
her. She looked away, sighing, before handing me a piece of paper. I looked at
it; an ordinary business card.
 
"If you remember anything important that could help in solving this incident,
please call that number," she said.
 
"Now you're believing me?"
 
"I have no choice but to." I paused, gritting my teeth.
 
"You're wasting paper on me," I quipped, handing the card back. "Shouldn't you
be more focused on saving trees?"
 
"I'm a detective, not a-"
 
"You don't seem like one." I turned and walked towards my apartment, but
stopped as I heard her mumble-
 
"I know."
 
I sighed, angrily turning back and snatching the card out of her hand. "I'll
give you a call if I remember something important," I mumbled, looking away in
embarrassment. When I looked back at her I saw that her stifling a chuckle.
 
"What!?" I exclaimed out of pure embarrassment, and she shook her head,
smiling.
 
"Nothing, you just reminded me of a…" she paused as if to clarify her next
word. "…of a friend I used to know."
 
"What happen, did they leave because of your crummy detective skills too?" She
gave a cackle that made me cringe. "It was the laugh wasn't it."
 
She shook her head, smiling. "I wonder," she jeered; bitch was jacking my
style. "Well, I shall see you then, Ms. Serket."
 
I turned without saying a goodbye, and walked up to my room. I went to my
window to see her leave along with another car. I sighed, looking at the card,
then walking to the trash bin in my kitchen. I held the card above the bin
hesitantly, but instead of dropping it, I stuck it on my refrigerator with a
magnet. I scratched the back of my head while walking to the bathroom. Taking
off my clothes I saw a small scratch a little below my elbow. I sighed touching
it, the blood seeping onto my fingers.
 
I went to the kitchen to find a first aid kit, stubbing my toe on the shitty
excuse for a dining table. When I found it, I sat down on the counter and took
out a cotton ball, rubbing alcohol, and a band aid from the kit. I held my arm
up, a L shape, and looked at the wound.
 
The cotton ball dabbed with rubbing alcohol that I once held was dropped as I
stood up. I blinked, heart racing as if I'd seen a ghost. I let out a breath
and looked back at the cut to make sure what I saw was true. To my dismay, I
was not forsaken.
 
I bent down and grabbed the cotton ball throwing it away. I grabbed a new
cotton ball, once again dabbing it with rubbing alcohol, inspecting my wound
closely. Gently dabbing it on the wound that didn't sting, I pulled back to see
the blood that was absorbed by the ball. I quickly put on a band aid and sat
back down to inspect the cotton ball.
 
The white cotton was surrounded by a liquid blue.
 
I closed my eyes, rubbing them with the back of my hands, and hoping that what
I saw was wrong. However, when I realized that I was thinking such a thing, I
opened my eyes. Didn't I actually want this? I glanced back on the cotton ball,
but after seeing a simple ball of white cotton, I rubbed the back of my neck. I
pulled the band aid off to inspect the wound, but there was nothing there. No
wound; no blood.
 
I stood up and went to my kitchen, grabbing a sharp knife and the first aid kit
from the counter and heading into the bathroom. I turned on the faucet to the
bathroom sink and slowly let the cool metal pierce my gentle white skin. The
blade left a line, but didn't cut, so I did it again, but this time even
harder. My blood ran as fast as the running water of the faucet and my breath
hitched as I saw that the blood was actually red, the color it was supposed to
be.
 
Did I see wrong then? Was the blue just a figment of my imagination? I breathed
out. It couldn't be, I'm positive I saw blue; so why is it red now? I tightened
my grip on the knife and this time cut closer to my wrist. Once again the
normal red human blood seeped out of the gash. I let it flow, as I cut through
my skin again and again, mind reeling with insanity - until I felt a hand on my
shoulder.
 
I turned around to see the concerned face of an petite adult; a face that also
held a look of understanding and pain. "You really do remind me of her."
 
She gently pulled the knife out of my hands without saying another word. She
grabbed the first aid kit and started the procedure of stopping the bleeding of
my arm. She place the knife behind her and used her free hand to wipe a tear
from my cheek that I didn't know was there. After, she made me lie down as she
went to inspect my refrigerator. Being the person that I am, I refused to stay
down.
 
"I'm going to go buy some stuff," she said, not looking at my face. "Anything
you prefer?" I didn't say anything until she looked at me.
 
"Why did you come back?" She stayed silent for a moment before standing up and
gently pulling me into a hug.
 
"I remembered why you remind me of a friend." I stayed silent and was about to
bury my head in her shoulder, but then pulled away, regaining my confident
posture.
 
"I already ate," I swallowed while staring at her eyes. "Thanks for the offer."
 
It didn't look like she wanted to leave me alone, but she did so anyway. She
closed the refrigerator door and pointed to my bed-sofa thing.
 
"You should rest," she rubbed my back and I smiled at her; as realistically as
I could.
 
"Yeah, I will." She turned and eventually walked out the door.
 
I sighed, looking around my room, seeing that the cleaning I had started that
morning was still left undone; and now,  my work load increased with the blood
stains in the bathroom. Speaking of blood stains and bathroom, I picked up the
knife that was left in the bathroom, inspecting it before throwing it into the
sink.
 
I walked out of the bathroom, only to walk back in and pick up the knife again.
I inspected it once again and held in a deep breath. I used the knife to tear
the bandage on my wrist, then examined the wound that I had inflicted upon
myself. I dropped the knife back into the sink, and threw the bandaged away,
returning to my sofa, and sitting down on it.
 
This didn't make any sense.
 
I did cut myself, but as I glanced back at the clear surface of my wrist; there
were no wounds; only scars. The cuts that were inflicted on myself only moments
before were displayed as scars, and I traced them with curiosity; the same
curiosity that cause me to pick up a knife in the first place. I let out a
confused breath and shook my head.
 
I looked at the time to see that it was a bit too late for me to be dealing
with this shit. I plopped back onto my bed and forced myself to slumber.
Chapter End Notes
     I just wanted to use a Twilight reference in this chapter for ironic
     purposes. It's not like i actually liked the movie-
     *cough*
     *cough x 12*
***** One night stand of pain *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Sunday; October 7, 2012 - 6:12 AM
One_night_stand_of_pain ===>
The room was dark, blinds closed, and the only thing he felt as he awoke was
the cold breeze that surrounded the still air of the bedroom. He glanced right,
a night stand laid empty; no lamp, just a watch, a pack of cigarettes, and one
sock separated from its fated pair. He sighed before looking to his left,
covers hiding the innocence that the girl did not have, but it wasn't he who
stole it, rather, it was the world.
 
He gently rose from the bed, feet touching the floor as he sat derailed of the
day he had faced and the night he remorsefully enjoyed. His hand went to the
night stand, grabbing the pack of cigarettes, pulling one out and placing it in
his mouth as he had done so for so many years. He ran a hand through his hair,
slicking it back where it then laid flat on his head. He put the pack of
cigarettes back on the stand, then reached for the sock, pulling it onto his
left foot. He began his search in order to stage the long fated reunion of the
other pair, as his right foot began feeling the consequences of being bare.
 
Pulling on his boxers, then his pants, he grabbed the shirt that lay wrinkled
near the doorway. He put it on lazily, finding no need to button it just yet.
He returned to the night stand and grabbed his watch. He glanced at the girl
who slept soundly on the bed and felt his heart sting. It was not love that
caused both of them to come together; rather it was loneliness. He began
buttoning his shirt, starting from the bottom, slowly to the top.
 
"You're up."
 
He turned back to the girl who was sitting up, blanket at her thighs, but chest
fully exposed. She stretched, extending her arms above and behind her head,
then lazily reaching over for a cigarette. She looked over at Cronus
expectantly, as he brought a lighter to her cigarette, hesitantly flicking it's
cam to ignite the flames that aided her lungs destruction. They both knew the
dangers of what they were doing and that it was something that could result in
death; but neither could put enough effort to care about such an outcome.
 
The girl smiled gently, which was unique considering how she normally acted,
but later frowned when Cronus lit up his own cigarette. She looked away; the
same pain that engulfed him choked her. Neither were courageous enough to state
their discomfort on the matter. Cronus bent down and picked up her shirt,
tossing to her, before walking to the other side of the room to gather the rest
of her clothing.
 
Whilst doing so he found his jacket. He reached into the pocket and pulled out
an envelope, throwing it on the night stand. The girl looked over to the stand,
and her gaze remained there, as if to ponder whether what she was doing was the
right choice - it was just a one night stand after all. She sucked in the
cigarette, blowing the smoke out slowly, and as cautiously as she could, as if
the stick of death was a fragile child, once popular, and later shunned due to
its mistakes.
 
"Thanks," she said, slowly putting on her bra, then her shirt, long enough to
cover her thighs, but still letting her legs visible. He watched as she
dressed, noticing the sadness of the action. He sat down next to her when she
was done, pulling her close into a hug.
 
"Is something wrong?" The words hung in the air like the rope that would decide
any humans fate.
 
The girl sighed. "Still don't have enough."
 
The boy looked at her, raising an eyebrow. She blew out the smoke from her
cigarette then placed it back in her mouth. She reached to the ground and
picked up an ashtray that seemed way too conveniently placed. He tapped his own
cigarette on the side of the tray, allowing the burnt ash fall onto its opaque
domain.
 
"Not enough, what?"
 
She looked down sadly before whispering. "Money".
 
Again the boy looked at the girl with a quizzing expression. Money? He glances
at the envelope at the bed side, getting up and walking towards it. He stood
hesitantly, but then swallowed and kneeled. Opening the drawer he saw what he
didn't want to see; envelopes of different sizes. He grabbed some, opening each
to see the contents. In disbelief he forcefully threw them back inside and
slammed the drawer shut. The girl winced at the crack and connection of wood
against wood.
 
"What the fuck?" Flustered, those were the only words that came out of his
mouth. He glared daggers at the girl, gritting his teeth to the point where he
felt his jaw hurt.
 
The girl looked away before muttering. “Why are you so upset; you use a condom,
didn't you?”
 
"Yeah, but-"
 
"It's not your problem then."
 
He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes with the expectancy to remain
calm. She was right; why was he getting mad? It's not like we are in an actual
relationship. The boy opened his eyes and lifelessly stared into hers, later
smirking with an intent to cause pain.
 
"Is that why Rufioh left you?"
 
In one swift motion, the girl was out of the bed and standing right before him.
He felt a sting when her palm connected with his cheek, burnt out cigarette
falling out of his mouth and onto the floor. He turned his head back to her and
grabbed her arm, raising his own. Before his hand came in contact with her,
however, he stopped. His hand stayed there, there in the air, as he stared
guiltily at the girl whose eyes were now shut in fear. She slowly opened her
eyes, and he gradually let her go, putting on his jacket on his way to the
door.
 
"I paid for the day; so you can stay here," he said, back turned. When his hand
reached the door handle, he added. "Take care of yourself… Damara."
 
"You too…" the girl breathed impulsively, more from sadness than from rancor.
"Cronus."
 
The door shut, the room once again returning to a silent impersonation of pain.
She sunk back to the bed, laying still like the air around her; the only sounds
audible being her loss of hope and her shortness of breath. Sickness and
disgust of her own self engulfs her, as she stood up and dashed to the
bathroom, throwing up whatever sadness her stomach didn’t want to keep. She
stayed on her knees, as if to pray not for her own well being, but that of a
sibling she was working so hard for.
 
It was originally for herself; she slept around here and there for
entertainment and for the extra cash. Her family being poor, she found the only
way to get money without asking her parents for it was doing what she found to
do best. Then, when her father busted a knee, it was for him. Now it was for
her brother; medical bills too much for her family alone to handle. She always
brought back the money, paying for whatever debt her family was in, and
although her mother questioned it, her father always stopped her from inquiring
any more than a simple 'Are you safe?'. The response had always been a simple
'yes', along with sad looks from a sister who understood too much for her young
age.
 
She stood up, pushing her unstable legs to the drawer where she seized the
money, putting it into a suitcase, before grabbing her own jacket and exiting
the room.
Chapter End Notes
     Remember, kids; don't do drugs.
     Like seriously, yo, don't do it.
     Every dollar spent on drugs is a dollar not spent on genetically
     creating anime cat girls for domestic purrrposes >; ]
     I always wanted a domestic cat girl.
     Don't ruin my dreams = Don't do drugs
***** The Deaf and The Mute *****
Sunday, October 7, 2012; 4:45 PM
The_deaf_and_the_mute ===>
Standing nonchalantly to the point where it could be considered loitering, the
boy breathed out uncomfortably, making no sound, and no movement while doing
so. It was cold, but there were no reports of rain yet, making him doubt the
day ahead. The small chatting and stomping of feet alarmed him; people would
pass, some would glance, but in the end, they were all the same. He breathed
out, this time even more so raggedly, holding the fear of the future ahead. If
he went right, would he bump into someone? Make a new friend? Should he go left
them? But, Oh! There are beings trekking along that way as well! So should he
then stay at his spot and be revered for his shady attitude?
 
He glanced to his right. Maybe going right, as common sense would dictate,
would be right in its own little ironic way. But what if he misses his chance
to become famous? What if he would become a star if he walks left?
 
He spotted a man, dark haired, jaw shriveled and holding a respected beard. His
cloths were different from the others, standing out vibrantly, but also
menacingly. No, it weren't thy clothes which stood out; it was the words on it
that struck fear into the meanest of boxers; security guard. Speaking vividly
to what seemed to be civilians, the boy noticed the sharp glance from both the
guard and the common folk. Loitering. He imagined such a guard to ignore
trivial matters such as these, as with the many crimes occurring, why would a
guard worry over a boy resting himself?
 
He pushed himself off the wall. His feet ached in annoyance due to his sudden
change of position, feeling the numbing pain of sedentary aspects most people
nowadays feel as a warning, or even a foreshadowing, of amputation. He marched
left of where he once stood, and glanced back to see the guard, once staring
him down, return to other matters. Maybe he was finally returning to catching a
real criminal? Or was he going off to find another loiterer? The boy couldn't
muster enough thought to care.
 
He sighed into his dark mauve scarf, pulling it closer to hide the fact that he
once sewed his mouth shut. Thin scars running over his lips made them seem like
a shattered mirror; unkissable. Walking down the vender street, eyes and head
closer to the ground than the sky, he only inconveniently glanced to his side
on a whim, and even then he seemed uninterested in the sight; people. People
talking. People walking. People who were tall, short, skinny, chubby,
emaciated, and even corpulent. They were all the same to him, all bore scars,
and even misfortune, and all would glance, silently judging those around them
for their outward appearance; just as the boy did.
 
He was skinny. His height aided his skeletal figure. Droopy eyes were
surrounded by a mass of hair, not entirely covering, but not entirely
surrounding either. His skin was a sheet of snow, making him seem like a
vampire out of a shitty vampire movie that was listed as 'coming soon', and he
especially felt no need to be excited about such a film. His scarf, a dark
purple, his clothes, an indifferent shade of black, and the only reason people
would stare was due to his muscular shoulders and bandages accompanying his
wrists. He sighed, but before he looked away, his eyes fell upon a being not
like the others; she wasn't staring, and if he didn't know any better, he'd say
she was purposefully ignoring him.
 
She walked the complete other direction that he, and at that moment he wasn't
sure why he felt so compelled to follow. He turned so nonchalantly, that if he
were a fox and she a rabbit, no organism on the land would realize that one of
them would be hunted, and the other, a hunter. His amble gait, strained eyes,
followed her as if the action was a perfunctory task done for so long. He felt
his heart churn in his chest at the sight of her back, as if her back was a
well known aspect to him, and it wasn't the first time he had seen it. He
longed for it, for her, and he was unsure why. He sighed uncomfortably as he
continued to follow her, thinking of a plan to approach her. In the midst of
his inconsistent thoughts, however, some other fellow beat him to the punch.
 
"Hey, babe, you seem a bit down, walking around here," the fellow observed. He
smiled cruelly, goatee on chin and eyes glazed as if on drugs. His hair slicked
back, and dyed a disgusting yellow that made him seem more red-head than
blonde. His broken, yellow teeth showed much dominance and social status;
delinquent written in red, white, and black. The girl stepped back
uncomfortably.
 
"Um."
 
"Dumped by your boyfriend? Stood up?" another fellow pitched in, walking up
from behind the other. With his false sweetness, as if he was a jolly rancher
readying to shoot a plethora of bitter on unsuspecting taste buds, he patted
the girl on her back. He, much like the other, held the same aura, but looked
more flippant than aggressive. Nonetheless, he was tall, and arms more muscular
than scrawny.
 
"We can help you feel better," their smaller, and final, pal offered, stepping
up from the wall now left vacant, twice in the same day. He seemed newer to the
group, hoodie of a bright green that spelled out what seemed to be their groups
name; The Felt. The boy narrowed his eyes at the word.
 
"Oh, I'm fine, um," the girl smiled uncomfortably. "I have to go."
 
"Wait, babe, I wasn't done," Goatee said, grabbing her arm rather forcefully.
 
What amazed the boy was that although the girls discomfort was radiating as
much as his rage, no one was approaching to help her. The girl looked confused,
opening her mouth to speak, but stopping and glancing away. Her eyes met the
boys', who then stood next to her, wrapping a scarf around her neck. He stared
at the others, who all unconsciously stepped back at the sight of their larger
foe. A glare was all it took for the boys to realize that the better move for
them was to abscond, but then a cackle from one brought back the courage they
momentarily lost.
 
"Who's this? Your boyfriend?"
 
The girl looked at the boy, blushing a hot red before facing the delinquents.
"No, uh, he's-"
 
"-Friend," he uttered, tone hushed and barely audible, but glare telling more
than a single noun. The tallest smiled cunningly.
 
"What's is your name, friend?"
 
The boy paused, but after much thought, answered, "Kurloz."
 
The boys laughed at the mention of his name. "Did your parents know how curly
your hair was going to be? Man, that's hilarious!"
 
"I fail to be humored." The boys fell silent. 'Tis was but a threat, one
beckoning an answer.
 
"There's an alley down the street," one boy mentioned knowingly. Kurloz shook
his head, grabbing the girls arm, and walking away.
 
He heard the shuffle of feet behind him transform into a running leap, and
understanding the event about to transpire, he placed his hand on the back of
the girls head, pushing her down into a short bow, he ducking as well. The
swift sound of air being cut informed him of many things; one, these boys mean
no fair play, and two, they were armed. He looked at the girl who he held
protectively behind him with one arm. He scouted for a security guard that
wasn't there.
 
"Run." He turned to the girl and added, "Help." Although without much context,
the girl nodded understanding his intentions, as if they had reviewed such a
plan before this first encounter. She ran, and he stood, squinting at his prey.
 
They charged first. A punch thrown right. A dodge left. He grabbed the arm of
his attacker, twisting it behind, then forcing him towards his friend, falling
on top. The remaining boy, slashed the air once again, unable to pierce Kurloz.
The slashes turned more violent as time went on. Through the corner of his eye
he saw the boys friends stand up. Kurloz hoped for officers.
 
A crowd was forming, but all were recording the fight instead of dialing an
emergency line. He almost got stabbed due to his distractive thoughts, knife
cutting through his hair as if it were a dull scissor, unable to get a clean
cut. His attention was then focused on the other boy, and by the time he
realized that there were originally three boys, he felt a kick to the back of
his knee. The twist of a muscle to the direction opposite of what it would
normally move sent a tingling shock through his body, later forcing the feeling
of pain.
 
On his knees, he glanced up to see the boy, knife in hand, coming closer to
him. Only three feet away, Kurloz planted a hand on the ground and spun his
remaining leg under the two closest foes, bringing them down to eye level. When
the last boy ran to place a blow, the screeching of whistles grabbed their
attention. The crowd began to part, the girl followed by officers came through
and controlled the situation.
 
The girl later looked for the boy, who she assumed was with the ambulance that
came; someone had called as soon as the brawl started, knowing that when a
knife is waved around, safety isn't guaranteed. An officer approached her as
she looked for the ambulance with the boy. He nodded at her to grab her
attention.
 
"Your name?"
 
"Meulin Vantas," she stated professionally, for the second time that week.
 
"What happened here?" he motioned to the scene blocked off by civilians who
didn't know about the events that occurred. She didn't think herself to be the
only one questioned.
 
"Those boys approached me and began talking to me," she began, telling him the
details of how the boy had saved her, and how she was looking for her savior to
thank him.
 
"Did you know this boy before?"
 
She thought carefully before answering. "No."
 
The officer scratched his head. He then migrated his hand to the side of his
face, but winced when he touched it, as if it were recently hit by a blunt
object. Meulin assumed that such a thing to hurt a lot. He shrugged after a few
moments.
 
"So you don't know where the boy is, then?" He asked the question almost
rhetorically, causing the girl to blink. Twice.
 
"What?"
 
"He's gone like the morning sun," he clarified with a sigh. "Disappeared; the
other boys said they hurt him pretty badly, wonder if the kids alright." He
walked away as if his job wasn't important and a kid wasn't about to be stabbed
just moments before. The girl called her brother to pick her up. On her way
home, she wondered what to do about the boy who seemed familiar to her. 
 
 
***** Where making this transpire *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Sunday, October 7, 2012; 8:45 PM
Where_making_this_transpire ===>
Eridan pat his arm, uncovered from the five days it was enclosed with gauze,
making him hold ideals matching those of a forgotten mummy; dead and alone. His
sister ruffled his unkempt hair, smiling sweetly as she beckoned for his other
arm. He complied, and she unwrapped the bandages on that one too, slowly, and
carefully.
 
"I still do not understand how you ended up like this," Porrim comments at her
brother's broken state, "And even afterwards you go out in a rescue mission;
Eridan, you may have survived through hell back on Alternia, but those days are
over! We aren't Trolls anymore."
 
"I know," he sighed briefly, before looking over his shoulder to what would be
a clock. In a few hours he would go to sleep; but what to do before slumber
consumes him?
 
"Wait a bit," his sister mutters before stepping out of his room, used bandages
in hand. He hears her feet shuffling across their hallway, towards the
direction of their kitchen where some of the first-aid supplies are kept. The
rest are located in the bathroom.
 
Eridan casts a glance at the artifacts placed in the room shared with his
brother. Aside from the cosplay guns and blades kept on his brother's side of
the room, the room was relatively empty of anything unnatural. Two beds, two
drawers, one television, a computer, a bookshelf, and a small couch placed
against the wall where his brothers' bed would be, adjacent to his own. They
were human, it seems.
 
He flexed his arm, turning it right side up to where he could note the clear
view of veins that many beings would ignore. There was nothing. Underneath was
possibly human red blood, but on the surface, it was simply smooth. He sighed
intently, turning his arm over to where scratches of many sizes illuminated
discreetly, partially unnoticeable due to his light chocolate colored skin. His
mother and sisters had a darker shade of skin, but it was hardly surprising as
they were apparently 'steps'. His brother, too, shared his skin color, although
a bit lighter, and a bit less bruised and scarred from years of bulling.
 
A sigh, once again, escaped his mouth. No one would muster the courage to look
up at him back on Alternia, but here, not many would even gather the energy to
look down on him.
 
His sister entered the room again, and with a slight nod of her head, Eridan
put his hands out once again for her to bandage. Although the cuts and gashes
where healed by the very cells located in his bloodstream, the bruises failed
to disappear. Porrim poked at a bruise, and after testing her brother's
reaction, stood up to get an ice pack.
 
When she returned she wasn't alone.
 
"Hey, fuckass," one of the visitors greeted, following Porrim who held a small
pack of ice. With them was a girl whose hair was long enough to fit the role of
an empress. Their faces were familiar to Eridan, they were siblings, both who
somehow got involved with Eridan, one being kinder than the other.
 
"Hey, Eridan," the girl said sweetly, watching the boy wince as his sister
placed the cold ice on his skin. Although there was a piece of fabric blocking
the ice from entirely touching his skin like a cell membrane regulating what
exactly reaches his skin, he still felt the cold pierce his arms like needles
of a poorly done acupuncture session.
 
"Keep still," his sister mutters, gently pressing the pack on her brothers'
arm. The boy sighs and turns to his visitors.
 
"Hey." The single term turned to poison after a few moments of silence.
 
"Is that all you're going to say?" One of the visitors exclaimed, fixing his
strange looking glasses as though they were normal glasses and not used to hide
strangely colored eyes.
 
"What else do you expect me to say?" Eridan replies in a similar fashion. The
visitor grits his teeth, but neglects to say another word as his sister steps
on his foot.
 
"Alright, gentleman, and lady, no physical actions, I just patched him up and I
don't want to change his bandages again," Porrim affirmed, picking up her
supplies.
 
"Don't act like you didn't enjoy binding him up," a voice intervenes from the
doorway. They all turn to see a tall looking man, smirking as though he knew
not how to smile. His sister sighs, walking towards him.
 
"We have some leftover ham, you hungry?"
 
Cronus shrugged, "Sure, did you cook?"
 
She nods, passing him and walking to the kitchen. Cronus glances at his younger
brother, then at the guests, before giving a slight smile, a nod in
acknowledgment, and exiting the room, following Porrim to the kitchen. Eridan
looks at the doorway for a while where his brothers silhouette once stood. He
wasn't home for three days and he still hasn't greeted Eridan about his
bandages. A sigh enters the air, but it wasn't his.
 
"Lots of stuff has been going on lately," Feferi pips up, as though unable to
find another conversation starter.
 
The boy next to her nods in agreement, "Yeah, no thanks to this fuckass."
 
"Why do you always insist on calling me fuckass?"
 
"I just assumed that was a favored kink."
 
"Never knew you rolled that way…"
 
"I was speaking about you-"
 
"Guys," Feferi commanded. "We didn't come here for a fight."
 
Both boys sighed before Eridan spoke up. "Then why did you guys visit?"
 
The siblings looked at each other as if to inquire the safety of the
conversation soon to follow. Feferi quavered for a moment, before nodding in
agreement of the unknown future.
 
"It's about what has been going on lately," Sollux lisped. "We assumed you knew
something, since both you and Karkat are acting really strange lately."
 
"As well as the appearance of that student, that is strange as well-"
 
"It's nothing to be worried about, don't involve yourselves," Eridan reported,
twirling his thumbs.
 
Both visitors looked at the scene before them. A friend beat up and bruised by
who knows what. The once widely known stoic blonde suddenly becomes chatty with
everyone, including random students from neighboring classes. Also, amongst
other changes, the two kindest and harmless people in the whole community were
specifically targeted and injured by a gang that was known for its sedentary
lifestyle rather than its occasional thefts of chocolate bars from candy shops.
 
"It's too late to say that, Eridan," the girl whimpered. "We are all already
involved in this." She glanced at her brother briefly before adding.
 
"What are you hiding from us?"
 
"Nothing," Eridan muttered, looking away.
 
"Stop lying you half-witted bucket of shit, " Sollux growled. "Something has to
be going on, and we have the right to know."
 
"Why would you have the right to know something that doesn't concern you?"
 
"You don't seem to understand that this does concern us," Sollux retorted
angrily. "Look, if it didn't concern us, why would we come to you for help?"
 
"Because even if it did concern you, why would you both go to me for
assistance?" Eridan observed the shocked and upset faces of the people before
him. He sighed, shaking his head with more sadness than rancor. This was
pathetic. He didn't need to deal with this shit right now.
 
"Eridan," Feferi began, eyes filled with worry about what her childhood friend
said. "What is going on?"
 
The boy slowly closed his eyes, once again shaking his head. "Nothing."
 
Chapter End Notes
     Where = We're
     I know.
     Don't question my use of terminology, unless you know why I
     substituted those terms.
     Wow, took me a while to update, huh?
     Sorry 'bout that.
     I'm probs sorry 'bout that.
***** We're* making this transpire *****
Chapter Notes
     I first planned to post this with the previous chapter, but then
     realized that I should just make it its own chapter, so I did. Mostly
     because I had two other perspectives to write, all in the same
     chapter, and I realized I was taking too long to do it so I will post
     the ones I finished, instead of posting it all together. I find that
     to be, relatively, simpler, and yeah, mostly less confusing is where
     I'm going with this plan; so expect more chapters later.
Sunday, October 7, 2012; 9:05 PM
We're*_making_this_transpire ===>
"I just don't understand what is going on," the woman sighed, fixing her red
tinted glasses, more through habit than the bifocals actually possessing the
need to be fixed. "I suddenly have my memories returned to me and it is by one
of your successors."
 
"If I knew what was going on, we probably weren't going to have this
conversation, Redglare," Mindfang replied, twirling a finger through her long,
black hair. "How long have you remembered?"
 
"A day. I came to you as soon as I could," Redglare looked across the table
where Mindfang sat, lazily glancing at her computer, but attention focused more
onto Redglare. "How come you didn't tell me you remembered before?"
 
"And what? Risk being sent to an asylum? Fat chance," Mindfang quipped, getting
out her chair. She placed both hands on her hips and arched her back as if to
stretch from sitting for so long; it has been twenty minutes and only now have
both of them started opening up to each other. "So now what?"
 
Redglare sighed. "I'm not sure, whatever happens must begin with us right? And
the first thing that ever happened was…"
 
"The birth of her Imperious Condescension, but the things that happened then
can't happen now! Killing people isn't justified in this society, regardless of
class-"
 
"Stealing things also isn't justified."
 
"Oh, come on! What did you expect me to do? I'm Marquise Spinneret Mindfang for
crying out loud! obtaining treasure simply comes with the title."
 
"That has a nice ring to it, 'obtaining treasure.' Your successors, however,
don't seem to think that way."
 
"That's because my successors aren't me," Mindfang informs her visitor. She
stepped over to where her refrigerator was placed, pushed up against a wall. It
was big, but the woman's height outmatched her solid foe. She opened it and
began her search. "Well, I mean, I guess one of them technically is me, but she
still is different! I mean who hangs out in libraries these days, seriously?"
 
"Weren't you the one who raised her?" Redglare inquired with jest.
 
"Come on, Redglare," Mindfang toned, stretching out all three terms in eight
long syllables. "Did you really expect me to raise a child to be a thief? This
world doesn't work that way, and the one thing us Trolls are known for is
adaption. What I am doing right now is adapting."
 
"Trolls aren't the only ones known to have that aspect," Redglare noted,
straightening her back. "Study shows humans as well have that aspect."
 
Silence engulfed the room. The occasional sound of Mindfang searching for
something in her fridge stood out amongst other sounds, such as the chirping of
crickets, not all possibly from the outdoors. Redglare glanced over to see what
her host was up to, but her sight was blocked by Mindfang's tall structure. She
later gave up on finding out what Mindfang was doing, and went back to looking
at the scenery.
 
It was a kitchen; a normal one. Wallpaper a light blue, floor tiles in a
checkered manner. Cupboards of many sizes and a fridge lay against the wall.
There was an oven. A toaster and a microwave were sprawled out across one
table. There were six stools, one being extra in the family of five. Redglare
sat on that empty stool, but she knew all too well who that stool belonged to.
See, Mindfang did have a miscarriage once, and it was the games fault that she
did. Whether or not that child was suppose to be Vriska was unknown to both,
but Redglare felt as though Mindfang was affected by the loss of that child.
 
"Are you really okay with being human, Redglare?" the tall woman asked.
Redglare noticed the strange tone in her voice, but she was hardly surprised at
it.
 
"Why not?" Redglare replied, hands unconsciously drifting to her neck. "I can
talk to you and not fear being controlled or killed."
 
"I couldn't control you anyway," Mindfang cited as though it were obvious, "And
I'm not going to apologize for killing you; if I didn't, I would have ended up
dead."
 
"I'm not accusing you of being wrong, Mindfang. I'm simply stating facts."
 
"Those are some shitty facts you got there, then."
 
The refrigerator door closed silently, but Redglare still winced at the notion
of a door shutting; even if it was a refrigerator door. She opened her eyes to
see, above all else, a changed being. One who managed to befriend an enemy from
an alternate timeline.
 
"Beer?" Mindfang offered with a soft smile uncommon for her, but, in her
defense, even the toughest Trolls are credited to have feelings. The Dolorosa
may have been an example of that.
 
"I have to drive home," Redglare reminded her, motioning to the general
direction of a living room where her daughter and Mindfang's son were doing
homework.
 
"Well, I have stuff to do as well."
 
"Like what? Playing pirate?"
 
"More like design the next character for the upcoming patch," Mindfang
corrected, "Who just so happens to be a pirate."
 
The tall girl turns her laptop around for Redglare to see. She was on
Photoshop, and the design of a feminine creature stood in many different
clothing, as well as perspectives. The creature would look exactly like how
Mindfang looks now, if it weren't for the horns, the fangs, the cheap pirate
costume, and the grey skin.
 
"The fans are getting fairly impatient, and are sick and tired of the classic
orphan character rising to the challenge in order to find his or her parent's
murderer."
 
"Sounds complicated."
 
"You're a detective. This shouldn't seem that complicated."
 
She turned her computer away from her ungrateful guest and went back to what
she was doing before Redglare came around, designing her character. She made it
look exactly as she did in the past as a Troll. She missed those days, but
didn't mind the fact that she wasn't on a wanted list any longer. Now she could
write stories on the characters she creates, who all look as though they were
the ancestors from her Troll years, and some who even shared the same story.
She felt compelled and eager to do such a thing, but at the same time, simply
writing the plots felt lackluster, but she couldn't do much about it; the game
company would be nothing without her, after all.
 
Once again, Redglare sighed. "Hey, Mindfang."
 
"What?" she replied, clicking away at the picture before her, later picking up
her tablet to draw her character in a different outfit.
 
"Doesn't it bother you?" She put down her tablet.
 
"What do you mean?"
 
"You know what I mean," Redglare stood up as though she were a lawyer getting
ready to prosecute a criminal. "The past isn't the only thing you remember,
you've talked to me about it before as well."
 
"What? The suicide thing?" Mindfang realized her mistake as soon as she noted
such an event. She quickly added, "What made you deduce that I remember the
failed timelines as well?"
 
The prosecutor shrugged. "It was simply a thought, but you just made it into a
statement."
 
The air was pierced by a sigh.
 
"Who wouldn't be afraid?" she said with a slight shrug, then stood up to match
Redglare's intimidating appearance. "But I'm pretty sure she's the most afraid
out of all of us. Poor girls' time is almost up, after all."
 
"But what will happen after that? I mean, if she isn't around anymore to
restart the timelines, and prevent the game from occurring, what will happen to
us?" They both fell silent until Mindfang whispered.
 
"I'm not sure."
 
They both sat down, Mindfang opened her bottle of beer and took a sip,
gesturing the opened bottle towards her companion. She took the bottle and
looked at it for a moment, but didn't drink, rather, she set it down.
 
"I don't know which is more unsettling," Redglare began after a while. "The
fact that we have to be reset every time she fails or that when she runs out of
time, we might cease to exist."
 
"Don't worry about trivial things not in your control." Mindfang took the
bottle of beer and once again, took a sip, placing it down as if it was the
most fragile object in the world. "Just enjoy what this timeline has given you;
it's not like your son is about to be paralyzed for the fiftieth time."
 
Redglare sighed. "I don't have a son, Mindfang."
 
"Not in this timeline you don't."
***** Math sucks *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Sunday, October 7, 2012; 9:32 PM
Math_sucks ===>
"Our parents are taking a while, huh?"
 
His voice snapped her back to reality. She blinked for a few moments, and after
realizing what she was imagining, her cheeks flushed a bright pink. She shook
her head to get the image of yellow and the scent of blue out of her head. Her
hair danced with the motion as if to mock her daydream. She gulped and breathed
out softly, to slow her aroused heart and clear her mind from any sexual
fantasy; one she wasn't sure why she was having.
 
"Yeah," the girl breathed.
 
She glanced down to see her hand grasping what would be a pencil upon what
would be her math homework. Her eyes drifted to where the brown haired boy sat
adjacent to her, his homework sprawled out on the table as well. They were both
sitting on the floor, both in the similar criss-cross-applesauce manner,
textbooks in their lap, and notebooks on a coffee table, where they also had a
conveniently placed chips bag in the middle of. She reached over and grabbed a
chip, gently breaking it into two with her mouth. The crack of the chip sent a
chill down the boys back.
 
"Is something up?" the boy inquired, putting his pencil down and placing his
undivided attention towards his childhood friend. "You haven't been this sad
since, well, you know…"
 
"I'm not sure what's going on, Rufioh," Terezi sighed, placing the rest of the
chip in her mouth, then pointing towards her friends paper. "By the way, you're
doing it wrong."
 
"What? I'm pretty sure you're supposed to add 16 here!"
 
"You subtract from both sides, remember? Algebra."
 
"Oh, right," the boy toned, picking up his pencil to fix his mistake. "I forgot
that such a math existed. When did I even take that? Feels so long ago."
 
"You can brag all you want about how your math level is above mine, but you
will never beat me when it comes to English and sass," Terezi quipped.
 
"Excuse you," Rufioh scoffed. "I learned the SAS theorem long before you did,
so don't even try to say that your level of sass is higher than mine.
 
"Don't turn this into an inequality."
 
"If it becomes an inequality, this conversation, variable being x, may turn out
to be greater than three," the boy muttered, scribbling away at the paper
before him.
 
"That doesn't make sense."
 
Rufioh shrugged. "Anyway, thanks, I found the solution. It's a negative
number." He glanced over at the girl who decided to drop the conversation. It
wasn't like her to give up so easily, especially in thing she excelled in;
twisting words to make them bite the hand of their feeder. He scratched the
back of his head, sighing once again.
 
"Don't you hate it when the solution to your problem is negative?" Terezi
looked over and met Rufioh's glance. She cocked her head in confusion.
"Sometimes you just hope to find the absolute value."
 
"I guess I can relate to the negative of such solutions," Terezi mumbled,
getting into the math gig. "As well as trying to find the distance between two
numbers; it may seem radical at first, but if you can't cut it in half, it
turns out to be a decimal, and no one likes decimals, no matter how you round
it, the correct answer will vary depending on the person."
 
"You usually have to round to the nearest tenth, don't you?" The boy chuckled
at the notion of their puns, deciding that Terezi was facing something she
didn't want to talk about; even in code.
 
"Well, yeah." Rufioh reached over and grabbed a chip, placing it in his mouth.
"But it's not that easy - rounding the ten in your heart."
 
"What?" He began coughing, hard, to where Terezi had to pat his back. "Are you
talking about-"
 
"I helped you find the solution to your problem," she intervened, "but I highly
doubt you can help me find mine."
 
This time, the boy was confused. He met the girls eyes and noticed something
strange. He gulped realizing where this was going. "You did take this math a
long time ago, didn't you?"
 
The boy winced. He was reminded of the sweet girl from his past, her dark hair,
the color of her eyes, the scent of a perfume which she wore all the time. It
all bothered him, but there wasn't much he could do about their breakup. Not
much he wanted to do, actually. He had given up after a year, he just didn't
want to get too serious with her, and that's what broke them both. Rufioh
understood what Terezi was trying to tell him; he shouldn't be one to help
another with love problems.
 
"Yeah, I guess I skipped a couple of problems and lessons because I just didn't
want to deal with it," he sighed, but didn't want to disappoint the girl before
him. "The distance formula is sometimes just too painful to solve without
losing your breath."
 
The girl put her pencil down. "It hurts your mind as well."
 
"Ha, yeah. Seems like you've got yourself a bit of a problem, huh?"
 
The girl reached over for another chip, this time, putting the whole thing in
her mouth and crunching on it.
 
"I guess," she began, mouth full with the chip, "Sometimes I wish for the
answer to be undefined."
 
"It's easier that way, isn't it?"
 
The girl shook her head. "It isn't always simply looking at a graph and seeing
if the line is vertical or not, or noticing that the denominator of a fraction
is zero." She sighed and stretched her arms above and behind her head,
straightening her legs in the process. "Sometimes you actually have to put
effort into the relationship before being hit with the reality that the problem
cannot be solved, so you have no other hopes but to circle it and move on."
 
Rufioh grabbed another chip. "What's wrong with moving on to the next problem?"
 
"Life isn't like math, Rufioh," Terezi noted, following her friends example of
grabbing a chip. "Even though it may seem rational to move on to the next
problem, you can no longer move forward in a straight line if you add a point
that makes collinear become coplanar." Rufioh sighed; Geometry was one of his
weak points.
 
"Is that why you don't want to tell me what's wrong with the language you excel
in? Involving others not collinear to you will ruin not only your line, but
their line as well."
 
"One doesn't simply add 16 when your suppose to subtract it from both sides,"
Terezi mocked.
 
"Ouch, burn, much?" The boy scratched his head once again. "Who is this
problem, anyway?"
 
"You should know by now that math teachers don't just assign one problem for
homework anymore."
 
"Wait. What?" Rufioh got up to his feet and beckoned her to do the same. He
stretched, realizing how sitting for so long makes one fairly numb. "Are we
seriously talking about math, or did I miss something?"
 
The girl let out a breath, standing up to match Rufioh's height, only to
realize she a few inches short. She stretched her legs and observed Rufioh's
countenance. She knew using math would confuse him, that's why she used it in
the first place. A smile danced upon her lips, one she hardly found the effort
to disguise.
 
The boy sat down on the couch in front of the coffee table, eyes lighting up
when he glances towards one of his mothers' master pieces.  She was an artist,
and with her creativity, it was never surprising to Rufioh that they had a
picture of a man wearing a purple cap, along with some other cheap looking
clothing, holding a strange weapon. It was a gun of some sort, and the ominous
weapon reminded him of a person he once met.
 
"Oh!" Rufioh exclaimed, turning his attention to Terezi. "You mean the incident
with the kid getting beat up? Cronus's brother, right?"
 
"Not just that," Terezi said. "Did you forget what happened to Nepeta and
Equius?" Rufioh winced at the mention; who doesn't remember?
 
"Does this count as gossip?"
 
"It's not gossip if it involves us."
 
Terezi sat down next to him. "How does this involve me?"
 
"Your ex is related Equius." Once again, the boy flinched at the mention of not
only his ex, but his ex's brother.
 
"Alright, I see your point, but how does this involve you then? You're not that
close to Nepeta," Rufioh noted. He had seen them hang around every now and
then, but hadn't really seen them get too close. Terezi didn't really let
people get close to her, although she definitely got close to people. Which
meant that she knew practically everyone at school. Everyone. All the ones.
 
Rufioh silently gasped in horror. "Wait. This problem you were talking about,
did you mean-"
 
"As you can now see, I'm on the same level of math as you," Terezi said,
cutting him off. "Therefore, we both have the same problems for homework."
 
"Terezi."
 
"What?"
 
"Don't do anything," the boy commanded, once again standing up. "This case is
serious, so many people are getting hurt, and I don't want a childhood friend
of mine to end up…"
 
His voice drifted off and he looked away from his friend. He sighed, but before
he could finish, Terezi offered-
 
"-Hurt?"
 
Rufioh sighed. "Well, if you put it that way, sure."
 
"I won't do anything," the girl quoted indolently.
 
"Terezi."
 
"What?"
 
"No crossing fingers."
 
"Look, trust me, Rufioh," the girl said, also standing up. "I know what I'm
doing."
 
Rufioh sighed, "Are you sure? This is some dangerous stuff, I don't think we
even know what is really going on."
 
"That's why this calls for an investigation!"
 
"Terezi!"
 
"Don't worry," the girl reassured. "I get it; I'll try my best to make sure
that I won't get hurt."
 
"When you put it that way, it doesn't sound like you're really going to try."
 
"Rufioh, believe me, I won't do anything stupid. This is me we're talking
about."
 
The boy let out a breath, going back to sitting in front of his homework, the
same criss-cross-applesauce manner as before, grabbing a chip from the bowl.
The girl followed his example, placing her attention back on her homework,
scribbling away furiously, devouring problems in seconds as though they were
Red Vines, or some Betty Crocker creation, instead of being simply numbers.
There she goes, then, crunching numbers.
 
Rufioh sighed at the thought. 
 
Leave it to a girl who likes math to not do anything stupid.
 
Chapter End Notes
     Plot twist: I actually like math.
     Idk, guys, math is p'great.
     How can you not like them math puns, yo.
     They all add up.
     They equal greatness.
     C'mon, they're not that bad!
     Yeah, idk.
***** Just give me a nickel already *****
Sunday, October 7, 2012; 10:22 PM
Just_give_me_a_nickel_already ==>
If only I got a nickel for all the times I got these thoughts, sighed Jade in
annoyance. She wasn't always ticked off, but for some strange reason, she
couldn't hold back her rancor any longer. It was as though someone had pulled
open a Pandora's Box filled with her anger, making it consume her whole. She
figured that there were a few people who contributed in the opening of that
box, some with ill intent, and others with not.
 
"I just don't know what to do, Jade!" Jake toned in more confusion and enmity
than Jade had ever seen. So this is what Jane and Dirk were warning me about.
Of course, not that she wouldn't want to hear Jake's ails, as on normal basis
she'd be happy to listen. Though, these were not normal conditions. In fact
they were so abnormal, that it would make any other abnormal thing seem normal!
 
"Dirk used to be cooler, but something happened," Jake continued. He squinted
his eyes, making them almost seem like inequalities. "He seems so fixated on
stuff. Strange stuff, you know?"
 
Jade looked at Jake's countenance, trying to hold back the strange urge to
growl and pounce onto him. She breathed out. Then back in. Out. Then in, again.
With this breathing technique, she started to calm down.
 
She tried to look at Jake, to make him think that she was listening, but she
couldn't focus on his words, much less his face. All she got out was bits and
pieces of his long story.
 
All she wished for was to be that old 'Jade' again, and truly be able to listen
to her brother. 
 
 "…Ever since I told him about that dream I had," Jake sighed, scratching the
back of his head. "This is so  confusing, it used to be better in the past, but
now… I don't know what's going on anymore!"
 
"None of us do," Jade assented.
 
"What?"
 
She blinked, relieved that the breathing exercises  worked, and that her
thoughts had cleared. At least, for the moment. "Nevermind."
 
"Jade, you alright?" Jake asked. "You've seem conflicted about something."
 
Not wanted to let him know she  answered with: "Who isn't conflicted lately?
After everything that's been happening?"
 
The boy shifted in his seat. "Right…" he affirmed, then began biting at his
lip.
 
The silence that presumed was deafening. It made every simple thing come to
life. The slow utterance of breath from both her and her brother. The
undisguised screeching and honking of cars from the street near Jade's window.
The raging of a heartbeat about to jump out of her own chest. They all were
things not normally heard. They were things Jade always heard.
 
Jake was looking out the window when he heard her sister ask, "What dream,
Jake?"
 
"Huh?"
 
"What did you tell Dirk?"
 
"Oh, nothing special," he began. He looked at Jade, and after seeing her raised
brow, he changed the meaning of his words. "It was just such an awful dream,
Jade! I mean, everyone kept dying, over and over again. Jane, Roxy, and Dirk
died. And even you died, too!"
 
"How did I die?" Jade pondered, making Jake feel uncomfortable about how calm
she was on the matter of death. He then decided that it was, in fact, just a
dream.
 
"…I think it was my fault."
 
It took Jade everything, every single ounce of her will power, not to grasp him
by the shirt and yell at him that it was never his fault. It was never anyone's
fault. They played the game because their existence depended on it. What
happened in the game didn't matter anymore because they're all alive, even
Vriska, who should be dead, is alive! Even though Jade knew that some of the
kids were inches away from annihilation, she felt that this was their victory.
Although a part of her felt that things were too constricting. It was as though
they finally beat a game, but then forced to play it again. 
 
Jade decided that the best thing to do was change the subject.
 
"Do you know what Sburb is?" She realized her mistake when Jake narrowed his
eyes.
 
"How do you know that name?"
 
Before Jade could think of a response, a small knock on the door made them both
glance up. The tension that was between them moments before seemed to sink down
to whatever ocean of feeling was willing to swallow it up.
 
The door  cracked open, first with hesitance, then later with confidence. There
stood a girl, older than both of the teens before her, but in appearance, she
was the most youthful. Her face was slightly rounded, cheeks puffed an adorable
pink, eyes a clear sky blue covered by red framed glasses.
 
"Hey, guys," the girl waved shyly. She had a nervous smile painted below her
nose, hands behind her back as though she were hiding something.
 
"Howdy, Jane," Jake replied, getting up from his chair and, being the gentleman
that he is, offering it to the girl.
 
"Hey," Jade mimicked. "Mr. Egbert drop you off?"
 
The girl nodded. "He came here to talk to Gramps about something." She shuffled
her feet in embarrassment, as if to decide her next move. She then gave a short
shake of her head, bringing what she hid behind her into the sight of both Jake
and Jade. "I came by to give you guys these!"
 
In her hands was a container, one of those see through ones that are awesome,
but that's not what excited the teens. It was what was inside the box, and
although it was no bunny, it was something of similar greatness. There were
cookies of all flavors imaginable lined up in order of their color. Red was
first, then a shade of brown, yellow, all the way up to the shade of an
imperial purple. They were like skittles, except they were cookies.
 
"Wow!" Jake jumped up in excitement. "Eureka! Thanks, Jane." He took one out of
the container and bit into it. Jade found herself stifling a chuckle over the
fact that he took a cerulean one. Jade, too, followed her brother's example and
took a cookie for herself, a red one, and bit into it.
 
"These are good, Jane," Jade said in awe, scarfing down the rest of her cookie.
"Thank you."
 
Jane nodded, her face flushing a bright pink in response to the compliments.
Jake and Jade took more cookies, chewing with bliss, until seeing the
uncomfortable look on their cooks face. Jade swallowed, gesturing Jane to a
seat.
 
"I also came by for another reason…" Jane shuffled her feet.
 
Jake swallowed his appetite with those words. "What's up?"
 
"Do you guys have any idea what's been going on lately?" Her worrisome tone
told Jade a few things. One, Jane herself was unaware about what was going on,
and two, she wasn't exactly intent on knowing.
 
"We're as lost as you, Jane," Jake answered in her place. A part of her felt
happy that he did. Another part of her felt that Jake, too, knew something
about what was going on, and she wanted to know what that was.
 
Jane continued. "What happened to those two kids were devastating."
 
"Yeah," Jade agreed, trying to fit in with her confused audience.
 
"It's weird," Jake said, scratching the back of his head. "It all started when
that one girl transferred."
 
"Oh, she didn't transfer," Jane corrected him.
 
"What?"
 
"My teacher said she was in some sort of accident," Jane continued. "So she
couldn't come to school."
 
"She's in your class!?" Jade exclaimed, louder than normal. Jake and Jane both
looked at her in astonishment. It wasn't that she was loud. They're used to the
whole loud and excited Jade. It's just, lately, with her upset and angry,
neither felt comfortable with her raising her voice. Jane paused a bit before
answering in the most normal, and careful, way as she could.
 
"Yeah, she's smart," she began. "For someone who missed the first few months of
school."
 
"Must have been a terrible accident," Jake intervened, in hopes of diluting the
subject. "She's missing an eye, isn't she?"
 
"Rumors are starting to spread about her origin as well."
 
"Kind of like this?" Jade pointed out. Jane and Jake fell silent, and the whole
room went back to being alive.
 
The pitter-patter  from what  presumed to be raindrops roared in Jade's head.
To both Jake and Jane they were inaudible. There was the stomping of feet from
below. One set of feet Jade identified to belong to her grandpa. It was
gruffer, and filled with experience. A lighter stomping was of a proper
gentleman, filled with respect and diligence. Jade identified that to be Mr.
Egbert. Both made Jade shift uncomfortable in her seat. Other than the two
teens in front of her, and the two stomps from the floor below, Jade couldn't
hear anyone else in the house.
 
"Anyhoo…" Jake began, breaking the silence. "I think we should go greet, Mr.
Egbert."
 
"Good idea," Jane said, as though she were suddenly excited to go greet her
father, again.
 
"You coming, Jade?"
 
"Yeah," Jade nodded, then glanced over at her computer. "Just give me a
second."
 
"Okey doke," Jake whistled. "See you downstairs."
 
Jane and Jake both got up, and as if possessing similar swagger, hurried out
the room, quietly shutting the door behind them. Jade sighed, feeling solitude
encase her in a space she wished she never had. Having space wasn't bad, but
too much space was, well, just too much! She couldn't handle it anymore,
although deep down she knew that it was her fault that everyone was leaving her
alone. Who wouldn't? She's been angry and depressed for years, all that
depression and hate tied with memories she shouldn't have.
 
She went over to her computer. She sat down, and went on her Pesterchum, as
though it was a habit installed in her, rather than an habit acquired at
random. She looked through her friends list to see that not one of her chums
were online; not that she could talk to any of them, anyway. The only one she
figured that would listen to her problems were the Strider brothers. one who
would help her through anything, and another whom she kept shutting out through
her own guilt. There was also Rose, but for some strange reason, TT had refused
to get a Pesterchum.
 
Moments passed. She stayed on her computer, as though she were wishing for
someone to come online so she would feel satisfied  and leave. She was about to
give up until she got a certain ding.
 
--               began pestering gardenGnostic [GG]--
 
Greetings, Jade.
 
GG: what?
 
You must highlight my text…
 
Of course you have to be able to read this to know to highlight the text.
Though, I believe in your intelligence, even though you are of inferior
species.
 
GG: this can't be right youre supposed to be dead.
 
Oh, and so are you. Looks like we are in the same, so called, boat here.
 
GG: don't lump me in with you
 
Take no offence, it was a compliment.
 
GG: doesn't mean that there is no such thing as bad compliments
 
Quite feisty, aren't we. I guess that is the nature of a dog, loyal and quite
protective.
 
GG: woof!
 
GG: Fuck! I mean screw you! D:
 
Yet, here you are, still highlighting my text and viewing it with curiosity.
 
GG: shut up
 
Oh, I won't be here for long, as I am  the host of such a tragedy, not a
player. Rather, I will leave you with a certain 'gift'.
 
--                      sentgardenGnostic [GG]the file "Sburb.exe" --
 
GG: oh my god why is this game still here!?
 
It is up to you if you wish to play.
 
The end of the world is inevitable, after all.
 
--                      ceased pestering gardenGnostic [GG] --
 
With nothing to focus on, the silence, once again, became deafening. She looked
back at the conversation she had, trying to decipher whether she imagined it or
not. She got up and walked away from her computer. Pacing back and forth, she
tried putting her thoughts together, only to find out she wasn't sure how. She
stopped.
 
Going back to her computer, she closed all her windows and shut it down. She
stood up straight, trying to feel some sort of triumph from not opening the
game. This only made her realize that the others may, too, have gotten word
from the white text. If they did the latter, she would have no choice but to
play as well. Not that she wanted to, but because she knew the others would
want her to.
 
She sighed, turned away from her computer, and left her room.
***** Vriska, be someone who likes being commanded *****
Monday; October 8, 2012 - 5:58 AM
Vriska,_be_someone_who_likes_being_commanded===>
Vriska is now not Vriska. Vriska who is now not Vriska is not quite sure how
this is possible. Instead, you are now viewing a different person. I’m sorry to
tell you but it’s not someone who likes the whole master-servant play. Because
we all know that if Vriska who is now not Vriska was being motherfucking
Equius, then this chapter will be useless.
 
Instead you are now viewing some motherfucker who isn't as sane as you'd
expect. Knowing that Faygo doesn't have the same effect on humans as it does on
Trolls, it's quiet easy to grasp how uncomfortable this man may be. Sopor slime
doesn't exist. Alcoholic drinks don’t calm him the way they do to the Lalonde
sisters. Et cetera. You are now viewing a human who enjoys saying
'motherfucker' a lot.
 
That’s right, motherfucker.
 
His name is Gamzee Makara. Black, curly hair, skin a sheet of snow, and eyes
the drooping and restless mess that they are. It has already been a week after
he last saw Vriska at the party in the Skaia Cafe. He felt restless about the
encounter ever since, not being able to succumb to a nightly slumber.
 
Gamzee was not stupid. He didn’t trust Vriska, so he had to do something about
her. As a human, he wasn't the high blood that he once was as a Troll;
especially with the motherfucking ‘all people are born equal’ shit, so he
needed to plan this out wisely. Gamzee didn’t believe in the law, but decided
he liked it because of Terezi. He was having so much fun not having to break
the law.
 
Well, at least until he saw Vriska again.
 
Vriska knew he was a traitor.
 
And now, Vriska needed to die.
 
He had stayed up all night there waiting for a certain spider to come crawling
out of her web. He gripped the knife in his jacket pocket. Its leather hilt
once soft felt like sand paper in his grasp. He waited in a entrance to an
alleyway next to a cheap and rundown apartment that one would normally see old
ladies residing in. Old ladies that would be sitting on the front porch,
yelling at people about how it was their lawn and they had to get off of it.
 
With much disappointment, he's yet to encountered such an elder. The
stereotypes modern television had installed in his mind where lies. He bet that
no one even yells at you if you walk on their lawn. He also bets that there are
no such things as lemonade stands and front yard car washes. At least, at that
neighborhood there wasn't. Or any neighborhood in that town, in fact.
 
There was school that day. Gamzee figured that not one person would find it
suspicious if Vriska didn’t show up. Technically, it was Memorial Day, and many
people found it unfair that there was school that day. So, Vriska could be
assumed to be one of those people. No one would find it suspicious that Vriska
died either, especially with the rumors he spread about her.
 
Oh no. No one would doubt him. No one would doubt sweet old Gamzee Makara; no
one who was reset anyway. Vriska had the ability to bring their memories back,
which is why Lord English sent her here. He sent her here to make them all
motherfucking suffer. He wanted revenge from Gamzee for betraying him and he
wanted to destroy the human’s peaceful lives! The way Lord English would
motherfucking do this would be by sending a thief to steal everyone's
happiness.
 
Vriska was a murderer; nothing would change what she did.
 
Gamzee checked his phone. The screen blinked a bright purple than made him
cringe, but as his eyes accustomed, he noticed that it was six. Anytime now,
motherfucker, he thought, reaching into his pocket for his knife. I will now
catch that motherfucking spider in my own motherfucking web.
 
The apartment door opened, and no one other than Vriska Serket walked out. She
looked at her phone for a moment, but then quickly put it in her jacket pocket.
Her mouth twisted in way as though she were trying to hide a smile. She started
walking to where Gamzee was. A smile crept on his face. Closer... Closer...
Motherfucking closer... his grin widened when she passed him. Now!
 
He jumped out of his hiding spot. He unfurled his knife and ran towards her.
She stepped back in reflex, stopping the knife from stabbing her in her chest.
It didn't stop the knife from hitting her abdomen, though. She hissed as she
brought up her leg to kick Gamzee. She hit him, throwing him to the ground, but
that wrong move only made the knife tear her up even more. She cursed under her
breath and pulled out the knife. She held it with confidence, but then began to
hesitate. She looked at Gamzee, as if trying to decide what to do, kill him, or
flee. She gripped the knife for a moment, causing Gamzee to realize that it was
the end for him, but instead of charging at him, she dropped it.
 
The next thing Gamzee knew, the girl was running in the opposite direction,
leaving a trail of blood behind her. He stood there in awe, but then concluded
that she didn't charge because she was wounded. He picked up the knife and left
the scene.
 
A while later sirens screeched from miles away. The only evidence they found
was some unidentifiable red blood sprayed across the concrete floor. For a
while there was a trail, but then it disappeared. No foot prints were seen
either. The wounded owner of the red slicked mess had disappeared.
 
Gamzee silently snuck back into his house. His dad and brother weren't home,
and he figured that they didn't even realize him being MIA for the whole night.
If they did, they didn't do anything about it, and probably weren't planning
to.
 
After a warming shower, he changed into a new set of cloths, hiding his bloody
ones under his bed to dispose of later. He head out to school making it to
class before the warning bell rang. He sat down, greeted some of his
classmates, and relaxed. Vriska couldn't survive long with a tear like that
without help. Vriska held too much pride to call for help.
 
Before the final bell rang, a girl in his class stood up. Her seat scratched
the floorboards, causing the majority of the class to look toward her. She
stared at her phone in disbelief. Moments later, the girl shoved her phone in
her pocket. She picked up her stylish green backpack and began walking out the
classroom. Rose stood up and tried to stop her. Gamzee thought that was just a
case of a class rep stopping a ditcher.
 
“Where are you going?” Rose asked the girl who was taller than she was. “Class
is about to start in any moment.”
 
“I apologize for the absence I’m about to receive, but I have serious matters
to attend,” the girl replied. Her tone matched that of a professional, as if
ditching class was a perfunctory task for her.
 
“What can be more important than your future education?” Rose asked not
budging.
 
“There are many things more important than a final itself,” the girl said
matching her pace. “Now if you’ll excuse me.” The girl stepped around Rose and
exited the room.
 
There was no point for Rose to feel responsible for every motherfucking
‘nobody’ in the class, Gamzee thought. All she needed to worry about was how
she was going to protect Gamzee from the blame of Vriska’s death, if he ever
got suspected. Oh, how she was going to work so motherfucking hard to prove his
innocence alongside all his friends. The thought made him smile.
 
Rose grabbed her bag and exited the room. He almost fell out of his chair when
he heard Rose yell from the halls.
 
“Kanaya!” Gamzee was seething with anger when he realized his mistake. “Wait
for me!”
 
Vriska had texted someone before she exited her apartment.
***** Be someone not as scary *****
Monday; October 8, 2012 - 5:40 AM
Be_someone_not_as_scary ===>
Sort of in spite of you, Vriska who is now not Vriska is being someone that is
scarier than Gamzee.
 
Kanaya got a text from her morail - or at least what would be the human
equivalent of one. A best friend? A bosom buddy? The world may never know. The
strange terminology human beings used only made her confused. She once made an
attempt to grasp such terms, but she found herself better off without them.
Human romance was just too confusing.
 
But Kanaya shrugged off her confusion only to get entranced by another unusual
occurrence. She found it strange to receive a text so early in the morning -
much more, a text from Vriska Serket. Kanaya looked at the clock alongside her
bed to make sure that Vriska was really texting her at five thirty in the
morning.
 
Things had changed after meeting Vriska. She started remembering details in a
more vivid manner. Things that may have happened years ago seemed as though
they happened just the day before. She took tests without studying only to
realize that she knew everything on it. All the things. All of them.
 
She also remembered more unpleasant things - things that occurred back when she
was a Troll. Although she remembered some things, her verbose matter, her gait,
and her talking style were most forgotten. As well as the drama, the deaths,
and the scent of salty tears streaming down her face because of how much of a
bitch Vriska was. And despite the past, she still wanted to be with her. She
knew that falling for Vriska will leave her broken in more ways than one, but
she didn't want to leave her either.
 
It was some sort of instinct Kanaya had. If she left Vriska alone, what would
Vriska do? She felt Vriska would follow her emotions more. Especially since
humans are more in touch with their feelings than Trolls were. Although, Kanaya
knew Vriska could handle herself. She has for the past years without her,
hasn't she? But if Vriska left her alone, what would happen to Kanaya?
 
She unlocked her phone.
 
arachnidsGrip [AG] began texting grimAuxiliatrix [GA]
 
AG: Heeeeeeeeey, Fussyf8ngs :::;)
 
AG: Guess who st8yed up all night to track down her dancestors loc8ion?
 
Kanaya chuckled at her human morail's text message.
 
GA: I Believe It Was One Rather Unlucky Human
 
GA: If Sollux Was There He Would Have Located Your Dancestor In A Matter Of
Seconds Rather Than Hours
 
She pressed the send button, highlighted in a shade of green, much like the
rest of her phone. She got out of bed and went straight for her closet in hopes
of spending less than twenty minutes choosing clothes to wear. She didn’t enjoy
being ostentatious, but she decided that as long as she was being fabulous with
Vriska, she didn't mind. She dropped what she was doing and grabbed her phone
when she heard it vibrate once again.
 
AG: Ooooooooh pleeaaaaaaaase, that beeswax nerd has nothing on me.
 
AG: Besiiiiides, I’ve got all the luck, remember? All of it ::::)
 
Before Kanaya could text back Vriska sent another one.
 
AG: I’ll see you at sn8ck, Fussyf8ngs <>
 
Kanaya smiled before texting Vriska back in a manner that she usually did not
text in.
 
GA: <>
 
grimAuxiliatrix [GA] ceased textingarachnidsGrip [AG]
 
So much for being verbose.
 
Kanaya took a quick shower before getting into her clothes. She pulled on her
calm blue top, then her thick black jeans. She grabbed a jacket with her zodiac
sign scribbled in green amongst white cotton, and put on sneakers with a
similar green shade. Amongst all the studded and laced polyester, it was the
simplest thing she could find in her closet.
 
She was putting the final touches of her appearance when she noticed that a
certain lipstick had found its way into her grasp. She toyed with it, trying to
see if it would morph into a chainsaw. To her dismay, the lipstick stayed the
same. She applied the green lipstick, disappointed at her lack of fashionable
weaponry.
 
When she was ready, she went to her living room to greet her parents and
siblings. Dolorosa Maryam was Kanaya’s mother and her father was Dualscar
Ampora. From what she heard of her ancestor's adventures, she found the pairing
quite intimidating. She wondered what would happen if they remembered, would
they adapt to human ways, or go against them. And it wasn't just them, she
thought that for all the ancestors.
 
She had two brothers and one sister. Her brothers were both from her father’s
side of the family, whilst her sister had her blood. In human terms, it seemed
such a feat was possible. In troll terms, it did not make any sense. Then
again, nothing really made any sense if compared to human terms. Like how her
brother held no resentment towards her, even though she had caused his end.
 
Cronus and Eridan Ampora were the two biggest flirts in school. Before Kanaya
remembered her life back on Alternia, she was ineffably kind towards her two
brothers. No fights, no arguments, and they all watched television together
every Friday night. It was after she remembered that she did not know exactly
how to face Eridan. After all, she did saw him in half. Eridan's horrible
fashion also added fuel to the fire, so to speak.
 
Her confusion for Cronus came from his uncanny resemblance to Eridan, except
older, a druggy, and no glasses. Kanaya found that his greaser style matched
him, although it could be better.
 
She saw Porrim as a refined woman, but after Kanaya’s memories found their way
back into her mind, she noticed the differences. Porrim was, indeed, beautiful.
Yet, Kanaya could not feel the same radiance as she did when Porrim was just a
human sibling to her. That is to say, her relationship with her family had
never been the same.
 
“Morning, mother, father,” Kanaya said, planting a kiss on her mother's and
father's cheeks. They both smiled at her as she went to sit down next to her
sister.
 
“Morning,” she greeted her siblings. Porrim gave her a smile, Cronus nodded his
head, and Eridan gave her a similar reply.
 
"How's it going?" Cronus asked, stuffing bacon into his mouth.
 
Kanaya shrugged in nonchalance. "It's definitely going."
 
Cronus nodded, understanding. Porrim raised an eyebrow and Eridan did not quite
grasp the tension. "You going somewhere?"
 
"School," Kanaya replied, cutting her eggs with a knife.
 
"No, I mean afterwards," Eridan inquired, cutting his own. "Like a date?"
 
Cronus started coughing, hand over his mouth in an attempt to keep himself from
spraying bacon all over the table. Porrim got out of her chair, patting him on
his back in order to calm him down. Kanaya's mom and dad looked over at Kanaya
in curiosity. Eridan tilted his head as though he did not know how blunt he was
being.
 
"No," Kanaya tested, eyeing her parents with care. "Nothing of the sort."
 
After eating breakfast with her family, she helped her mother clean up. Porrim
joined her in the act. As she handed a plate to Kanaya in need of drying, she
whispered.
 
"So, who is it?"
 
Kanaya grabbed the plate, and stared at Porrim, confused. "Who's, who?"
 
"Oh, you know," Porrim mused, trying to hide a smile. "The girl you hang out
around. I've never seen her before."
 
"She's new."
 
"Really?"
 
"Yes. She transferred in a few days ago." Kanaya put the plate back where it
belonged before Porrim handed her another one.
 
"Oh, that's strange. I thought the only person who transferred in was that girl
who-" she stopped mid sentence. She turned off the water and faced her little
sister. "She's not the girl with all the rumors floating around her, is she?"
 
Kanaya gulped, placing the plate in her hand on the shelf. "Well..."
 
"What rumors?" their mother inquired, walking up to them, table rag in hand.
 
"People say she's involved with what happened to the Vantas's and the Zahhak's
kids," Porrim shrugged. She looked at Kanaya in dissidence. Kanaya looked away,
grabbing another plate to dry.
 
"Oh, my," Dolorosa commented. "You shouldn't hang out with people like that."
 
"She isn't like that," Kanaya began, but stopped. There was no point in
convincing them, she decided. They would not understand.
 
Cronus was going to drive them to school, but Kanaya wanted to walk - alone.
Eridan didn't catch her drift and followed her out the front door. Porrim took
Cronus up on his offer and followed him to his car. The red, shiny exterior
that it had made Kanaya reconsider her decision to walk, but she felt the need
to stretch her legs. School wasn't too far anyway, so she went on, brother
trotting behind.
 
"So," Eridan whistled, trying to break the silence. "What's up?"
 
"The sky," Kanaya informed him knowingly.
 
He sighed. "Alright, I'm going to be blunt with you."
 
"No way. You? Blunt?" Kanaya mumbled, slowing down so her brother could walk
beside her.
 
"Do you remember?"
 
She continued walking, but in her mind, she stopped. She heard red alarms going
off, the flashing of red blinding her. She didn't expect Eridan to know. When
he followed her, she thought he'd talk about his love life, or in his case, his
lack thereof. She figured that all she had to do was remind him that his
romantic issues came from how he held solipsistic beliefs. She coughed to clear
her throat.
 
"Remember?"
 
"Yeah, anything unusual?" Eridan pushed. "Like a certain game you played,
or...?"
 
"The only games I have played were dress up games," Kanaya noted. "And I do not
play those games any longer."
 
"You don't talk like that."
 
"What?"
 
"You use contractions."
 
Kanaya coughed again, trying to clear out the lump of guilt. "Really? I ha-
I've never realized that."
 
"Right," Eridan murmured, unconvinced. "Nevermind, then."
 
The rest of the trip was silent. Kanaya got to school a bit earlier than she
expected, but she did not spot Vriska on campus. She assumed Vriska was taking
her time eating breakfast. She headed to class.
 
She was in her classroom when Gamzee walked in, not exactly late, but not early
either. He had a smile on his face as he gave greetings to the people around
him. He seems harmless, Kanaya thought. Vriska told her that she should watch
out for him, but so far, he has not done anything.
 
Sure, Kanaya knew how Gamzee had betrayed them; she knew how he had killed
Nepeta and Equius. He was also the fundamental cause to Terezi’s unhealthy
behavior. Kanaya would never forgive him what he had done. Nevertheless, that
was in the past- in the game. Everyone did something they regret. Although,
according to Vriska, he was going to do something to those who remembered, so
Kanaya thought it would be best if she listened to Vriska. It didn’t seem as
though Gamzee knew who she was anyway, and even if he did, Kanaya can become
just as threatening as Gamzee, if not a bit more.
 
She felt her phone vibrate and she pulled it out. It was a text from Vriska.
She opened her phone and read the text. Her eyes widened.
 
arachnidsGrip [AG]began textinggrimAuxiliatrix [GA]
 
AG: help me
 
There was no punctuation, no eights, and she was not even matching her quirk.
Kanaya abruptly stood up.
 
AG: im at alleyway
 
AG: prospit market
 
Kanaya texted her back
 
GA: Do Not Make A Single Move Vriska I Am Coming
 
Kanaya shoved her phone into her pocket and grabbed her backpack. The bell was
about to ring, but Vriska was priority over school. Besides, one day would not
affect her plans. She did not know what to do if something happened to the only
being she could talk to without worrying about letting something slip. She had
already lost Vriska several times due to her mixed feelings for her and she did
not want the past to repeat itself.
 
As she was about to exit the class, the class rep stood in her way.
 
"Where are you going?" Kanaya gulped. She did not have time for this. "Class is
about to start in any moment."
 
"I apologize for the absence I’m about to receive," she began; nervous about
how it was the first time she would be ditching class. "But I have serious
matters to attend to.”
 
“What can be more important than your future education?” the class rep would
not budge, Kanaya knew she would not. Moreover, Kanaya did consider what she
just said; was Vriska really worth it?
 
Of course she is, Kanaya argued. “There are many things more important than a
final itself." She heard the words flow out of her mouth by instinct. “Now if
you’ll excuse me.”
 
Kanaya stepped around the girl, bolting out the door before her trained human
instincts stopped her from ditching. When she was almost out of the building,
she heard a familiar voice.
 
“Kanaya, wait for me!” the girl yelled, running after her. Kanaya stopped. She
realized that if something horrible had happened to Vriska, she would not be
able to handle it alone. She waited for the girl to catch up. It was only then
that Kanaya realized who she was.
 
It was Rose.
 
Blonde, short, and radiant, she was everything Kanaya remembered her to be. She
even blushed lightly at the thought of her. Her cheeks also flared in response
to her own irresponsibility. How could she have not realized that Rose was in
her class? School started in August, and now it's October. Two months and
Kanaya never took a moment to notice her classmates.
 
When they left campus, Rose did not ask where she was going, nor did she
inquire anymore than she already did in class. Although uncomfortable, Kanaya
felt glad inside that an old friend was tagging along. Well, her ex-friend.
 
They made it to Prospit Market, but found no Vriska. Kanaya looked at her phone
to see if there were any texts that she had missed, but there were not any. By
Vriska, anyway. Her siblings had heard of her ditching class, filling her phone
with questions. The only text that she feared was from her youngest brother:
 
CA: I kneww it.
 
She called Vriska hoping she would pick up, or the slight chance that Vriska
had a ringtone on her phone. She heard the call go through, but no answer. She
did not need one.
 
“How do I live without you...?”
 
Kanaya heard Rose chuckle. She glanced back her and she lifted her hands in
defense. What could she say; Vriska did not seem like someone who would watch
Con Air. Much more, be a fan that would make that song her ringtone.
 
They followed the sound of Vriska’s ringtone. Rose was smiling, and eventually,
so was Kanaya. They both knew the song, Rose from John, and Kanaya from seeing
Vriska fantasize over the human Nicholas Cage back on the meteor. The song got
louder and louder as they trekked towards an alleyway behind the market. When
they reached the alleyway, they found the source of the sound.
 
They also found Vriska.
***** Life is alive and Death is not *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Monday; October 8, 2012 - 10:02 AM
Life_is_alive_and_Death_is_not ==>
 …Which sounds completely ridiculous coming from a boy who dictates ideology
with concealed emotions. A thought that even the most desperate author in the
whole world refuses to use because even they realize how horrid it sounds. A
thought found acceptable in the foundation of a boring second period math
class.
 
Karkat sighs. Scratching the back of his head, his faith in humanity fades away
with every deep breath taken in by his teacher. Those breaths later used to
explain a topic spoken millions of times before. But this time it focuses on
one student who was asleep for the past thirty minutes of class! How different,
new, and exciting! This is to say why math class was a topic everyone loathed.
If the intelligent did not get it once, they had no worries. Some slacker in
the class would raise their hand and request an encore of the monotonous tone
that causes people to sleep.
 
Although, calling these people slackers is just too much - slackers do not ask
questions. They have a false pride to uphold.
 
Three minutes later the bell for snack rings. How Karkat knew three minutes had
passed? There is a device in the twenty-first century known as a watch. It is a
new invention, the first variation of such a device made around 3500 B.C. Yet
due to its newness, no one has the time to carry one. It is also called paying
attention to the interior of those magical classrooms that insist on hiding
their clocks. Unfortunately, these classrooms have yet to met the likes of
Karkat Vantas, the boy with an uncanny knack for finding clocks in a room.
 
Guess one could say he has a thing for Time.
 
He remains in his seat, not moving, and not shuffling books into his bag. He
pretends to listen on the teachers bowels as the rest of the class does what he
refrained from doing. The teacher calls on the students who stood up, telling
them that they must remain seated until he finishes his lecture. Whoever did
not stand could leave. Karkat then gets up. The teacher nods in approval, and
he slips out the classroom, into roaring halls.
 
Snack was a time for peace. A break given to students with generosity. It was
not a time prone to mockery. Any break given to students is important. That is
the whole point of a break.
 
However, Karkat enjoyed his breaks quiet, lacking the presence of any assbutts
who claim to be his 'friends'. Even though they actually were his friends. His
only friends, to be exact. At least, the only ones he did not worry over
remembering anything. Eridan is an exception, but he was a dick anyway so it is
fine.
 
He walks down the hall, out big doors, leading to a ramp, respectively leading
to another building. It wasn't that the building was abandoned, nor was it
scheduled for demolition, but it was a place no one but clubs went to. It was a
building specifically for club meetings, or indecent actions. Whichever works
best.
 
He climbed the stairs to the top floor, walking confidently to a door marked at
414. He choose that room himself for the club. He thought of it as a better
alternative than the room next door.
 
He opened the door as though expecting an explosion. To his relief, nothing
blew up. At that moment, anyway.
 
"Hey, Karkat!"
 
He walked in, glancing to see who was around. Like usual, the supervisor was
not.
 
"What?" he greeted, squinting to see who was talking to him. It may have seemed
that he was angry, but the reality is he squints because he has eye problems.
 
Terezi did not smile, but it wasn't because of his reply. "We may have a
problem, Karkat."
 
A problem.
 
Great. Just what the doctor ordered.
 
He looked at the leader of the club, and then glanced around to see that there
were a few other members in the club. Sollux sat next to Terezi, typing
something on his laptop. Secretary was his job. Across from him, Eridan leaned
on a desk, looking at some papers. He was treasurer. Karkat walked closer to
the gang. They were the only people in the unusually large room.
 
"What problem?"
 
"Two ditchers," Sollux spoke up from his computer.
 
"Ditchers? So what? There are always people who ditch. Even we ditch class
sometimes. What makes these two special?"
 
Terezi grabbed one of the two portfolios in her lap and opened it. "Their names
are Kanaya Maryam and…" she paused as she flipped open the other. "…Rose
Lalonde."
 
"What?"
 
"Kanaya and Rose," Eridan repeated aguishly. "My sister, that's why we should
care."
 
Karkat paused. "Don't worry, people ditch all the time, she won't get in
trouble if she doesn't get caught. Don't act so goodie-two-shoes all the time,
fuckass, last I checked you broke a few laws yourself."
 
"You shouldn't say stuff like that Karkat," Sollux murmured.
 
"What do you mean? I always say stuff like this." Karkat glanced around.
Something was amiss. "What's wrong with me saying it now?"
 
"You're supposed to be a role model, Karkat. You are vice president remember?"
Terezi sighed.
 
"I'm no role model, no one in this club is! Can't you see why no one is
joining? It's pathetic."
 
Terezi glared at him, and for that moment, a strange shade of red filled his
senses. He held his breath.
 
"Anyway," Sollux said, breaking the ice. "Why would they leave? Looking at
their records, the first class they ever had together was their first period,
and they have that class this year. Both have remarkable grades, and don't seem
like the trouble-maker types." He sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing
his eyes. "That is to say a person's record doesn't define them."
 
Karkat glanced over the portfolios suspiciously. "Are we really allowed to have
these?"
 
"Don't question justice, Karkat," Terezi responded. Karkat sighed, putting the
folders down.
 
"They were friends once," Eridan said silently. "Maybe closer. But one day,
they just stopped talking to each other."
 
"Do you know why?"
 
He shook his head. "What I do know is that Kanaya left after reading a text.
Rose ran after her for some reason."
 
"How did you know?" Terezi asked.
 
"Word travels fast. I asked around. The usual," he boasted. Terezi nodded in a
way that seemed to say; now this is what being a detective is all about.
 
"Do you know who she was texting?" Sollux inquired.
 
"I may have an idea on who it might be…" he paused and looked over at Karkat.
 
"Who?"
 
He was silent for a solid minute before responding. "...Vriska."
 
"The eye patch girl!?" Sollux asked, seeming amused by this revelation. He then
glanced over at Terezi and raised a brow. She cleared her throat in response.
 
"You know her, don't you, Karkat?" Terezi asked, remembering how he stopped her
from going after their first perpetrator. Karkat looked at Eridan and shrugged.
Eridan looked away.
 
"You know her, too?" Sollux asked, seeing the discomfort in Eridan's face.
 
"Well, who is she?" Terezi pushed, walking closer to Karkat. He glanced at
Eridan, who shrugged as well. What could they do besides lie?
 
"She's-"
 
"Um, excuse me?"
 
They all turned to see a girl, hair a curly, yet beautiful mess, dance on her
shoulders and lower, almost reaching her stomach. She opened the slightly ajar
door, walking in. The group exchanged glances, confused to see a girl they had
never knew about, seem familiar before their eyes. Eridan and Karkat sighed in
relief. Saved by the ram.
 
"I'm sorry to bother you, but is this the Disciplinary Club?"
 
"That's us," Terezi said, walking up to the girl. "How may we help you?"
 
"I would like to join the Disciplinary Club," she said, her eyes strong. Terezi
glanced back, so shocked that she did not have time to mock Karkat for his past
brazen claims on the club.
 
Sollux also steps forward. "I'm sorry but …" he paused for a moment, scratching
the back of his head. "Have we met before?"
 
She took a long look at him before shaking her head. "I don't think I have had
the pleasure."
 
"You speak proper." Eridan noted.
 
"Oh, sorry. It's a habit of mine."
 
"Why do you want to join the club?" Terezi asked, nudging Sollux in the shin
for his horrible pick up line.
 
"I was hoping to, well, make the person who hurt my brother pay," she said
quietly. "To serve justice-"
 
"You mean revenge?" Terezi tested.
 
She stopped and thought. "They are the same thing, no? It is only natural to
seek revenge on people who break the law."
 
"Yes, but, this is a school," Terezi pointed out.
 
"I have reason to believe that the person who hurt my brother is in this
school."
 
Shocked glances were exchanged. "What makes you say?" Eridan asked.
 
The girl shrugged. "Just, a gut feeling, I guess."
 
"You're… Equius's sister, aren't you?"
 
She nodded.
 
"No wonder Sollux thought you looked familiar," Eridan nodded knowingly.
 
Terezi raised her brow, looking back at Karkat. Should I let her join? He
shrugged. Go ahead.
 
"Well, I cannot guarantee that you will find whoever hurt your brother. But, I
will guarantee you a position in our club," Terezi decided. "Welcome to the
Disciplinary Club… I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name?"
 
"Oh, it's Aradia."
 
Karkat and Eridan both looked at each other.
 
"Aradia Zahhak."
 
They both tried their best to hold in laughter.
 
"So what now, Mr. Role-Model," Karkat quietly jeered at Sollux. "Would you like
to show the newbie around?"
 
Sollux nodded, confusion written in sharpie all over his face. He walked
towards the girl, and in the midst of their conversation, Karkat realized what
was amiss.
 
Sollux did not mock him.
Chapter End Notes
     *muffled apology from a distance*
     Edit: Never realized how crappy I made the formatting. Dw, tho, fixed
     it.
***** We lost Kanaya. Rose, what do you see? *****
Monday; October 8, 2012 - 10:10 AM
We_lost_Kanaya._Rose,_what_do_you_see? ===>
There was blood everywhere.
 
At least, it looked like blood.
 
A cobalt blue had repainted the dark walls of the alley, allowing the walls to
glow. It looked sickening, and Rose felt the breakfast burrito she ate earlier
that day climbing up her throat.
 
“Oh, god...” she whispered, hands covering her mouth. The music coming from
Vriska’s phone played mockingly. Rose took Kanaya’s phone out of her hand and
turned the call off.
 
“Vriska,” Kanaya started getting closer to her bleeding friend. “What happened
to you?” she knelt down next to Vriska and checked her pulse. Vriska stirred
from contact.
 
“Took you long enough, Fussyfangs,” she said between forced breaths. She
glanced over at Rose. “Lalonde?”
 
Kanaya took the initiative. “Rose, contact an ambulance, she’s lost a large
amount of blood.” Kanaya rolled Vriska’s shirt up, exposing a large gash under
diaphragm. She took a spare shirt out of her backpack, folded it, and pressed
it on Vriska’s abdomen. Rose still having Kanaya’s phone dialed 9-1-1.
 
“Hello? Yes, this is an emergency. There is a pers- I have located a friend of
mine bleeding...” After informing the receiver where their location is, she
turned back to her grieving friend.
 
“Kanaya...”
 
Kanaya looked different from her normal cool and collective self. The idea that
someone hurt Vriska bothered her. She was not there to protect her, the only
friend she had. As if Vriska was the only one in the world who understood her.
Rose found that true, since Kanaya does not pay attention to those she is not
fond of. She wondered how they knew each other. What was their relationship?
Friends? Perhaps more? Rose stood behind Kanaya, observing her attempt to stop
the bleeding.
 
What surprised Rose was not that Kanaya knew what to do in such a situation.
Rather, that Kanaya did not fear Vriska’s blood ubiquitously painting the
concrete floor. Blood is normally red, as said by her biology teacher. Yet
Vriska's was blue.
 
"That is a large amount of blue," Rose commented, kneeling down next to Kanaya.
The jade eyes met her violet ones.
 
"Blue?" it was as though Kanaya did not see the blue blood coloring her own
chocolate colored hands.
 
The sound of an ambulance reached their ears. Rose ran out of the alleyway to
motion for the paramedics to come her way.
 
The paramedics followed Rose with a stretcher. Rose led them to where Kanaya
was stopping Vriska’s bleeding. The medics lifted Vriska and moved her away
from the dark alley. Next thing Rose knew was that she was in an ambulance,
with Kanaya and Vriska, heading to a hospital.
 
Kanaya had a strange look in her eyes as she held Vriska’s hand. No, not
strange, just unique. Rose had never seen Kanaya so upset before. Kanaya was
calm and graceful. She was the dove who flied across the blue sky. The bird
whose feathers would grace those she passes. That is, until a crow showed up
and swallowed her whole. A crow that stopped her from flying across that blue
sky. Vriska was that crow.
 
The sudden change of character surprised Rose. Although when the paramedics
spoke to Kanaya, her elegant and calm posture returned. Both girls received the
order to keep Vriska awake as the doctors did their thing.
 
“Vriska, what happened?” Kanaya asked the weary female. To keep Vriska awake by
engaging her into conversation seemed asinine to Rose. She didn’t know Vriska
for long, but she had a feeling that girls like Vriska slept through
conversations like these. Nevertheless, Vriska stayed awake throughout the
whole conversation. Rose realized that Kanaya’s relationship with Vriska was
likely ethereal, being as unnatural of a combination as it was. The trouble
maker and the girl who had never ditched a class in her life. The girl who was
fine as longs as she wore a shirt and pants, and the girl who was a supermodel
in the streets. Rose sat there, waiting until they reached the hospital.
 
“Just a scratch,” Vriska said, giving Kanaya a weak smile. “No biggie.”
 
“Vriska, I find it to be a ‘biggie’ because when we located your body, I could
already sense Troll Jegus’s presence,” Kanaya said. Rose looked at her when she
said ‘Troll’ and ‘Jegus’. Troll? What did she mean by Jegus? Was it a slip of
her tongue? Rose blushed realizing that she was thinking about Kanaya’s tongue.
Too soon, she muttered to herself. Too soon.
 
“Ha, been through worse,” Vriska said, somehow managing to point at her eye.
“At least this time it wasn’t a big, green sack of shit wearing what seems to
be a bathrobe over green overalls.” Vriska grinned as if being stabbed was an
everyday hobby of hers. Knowing Vriska, it probably was.
 
"Who was it, then?" Kanaya asked. Vriska glanced over at Rose and smiled.
 
"Whoever he was, he wasn't wearing green overalls."
 
When they reached the hospital, Vriska was rushed to an emergency room. Rose
and Kanaya were questioned by a few police officers and doctors due to the
unique attributes the patient had. A while later, a detective came up to them
and questioned them separately. Kanaya was led away for thirty minutes. She
came back and glanced at Rose, as if to wish her luck. When Rose was called up,
she was led into an empty room.
 
A table and two chairs lay directly across from each other. One was vacant, the
other occupied by a woman. On the table was a device that Rose assumed was a
recording device. There were no windows, and, as Rose observed, no cameras
hanging from the walls either. There was a single clock on the wall behind
where the detective sat. Rose calmly approached the only vacant seat in the
room and sat down right in front of the detective. She glanced up at her.
 
The detective had oddly shaped red glasses. She had short black hair, and by
looking carefully, one could almost see specks of teal from the days where
people would dye their hair strange colors. They would then be informed that
their style was 'just a phase' to which they responded 'it is who I am'. It was
a period in someone's life that they will later come to regret. Even with the
tattoo across their chest spelling 'No Ragrets'. In serious news, the woman
reminded Rose of a classmate. When the detective flashed an ID at Rose, she
understood the reason behind the resemblance.
 
"Detective Teresa Redglare," the woman toned, smiling. "I would like to ask you
a few questions about the 'friend you found bleeding in an alleyway'."
 
Rose thought for a moment, realizing that the detective already went through
all the formal paperwork for this questioning, even taking call history to
account. This was no newbie, this detective was a professional. This, of
course, struck Rose as strange. Why would a professional detective be on a
common stabbing case? It was no homicide, although possible attempt murder, why
would the most famous detective in town investigate such a case?
 
Rose then glanced down at the recording device.
 
"You forgot to turn it on."
 
"What?"
 
"This thing," Rose said, pointing at the recorder in front of the detective.
"It's off."
 
The detective looked at the devise in front of her and reluctantly turned it
on. It wasn't because her pride was hurt, but rather, she never planned to turn
it on. Rose looked up at the detective realizing that this was not a scheduled
questioning. It was never supposed to happen, and as far as the police
department knows, it never did.
 
“I believe that, like your friend, you are in my daughter’s class?” the
detective asked, as if trying to inform Rose that there was nothing to worry
about, nothing to hide. It occurred to Rose that Kanaya hid something.
Something the detective wanted to know. The detective then assumed that peeling
information out of Rose would be as simple as peeling the skin off a cucumber.
Little did the detective know that some cucumbers are hard to peel.
 
“I may be. Who is the daughter that you were previously kind enough to
mention?” Rose already knew who it was. In fact, Terezi came to Rose on
numerous occasions stating how she was a burden to her family. It turns out
that this was due to her mother paying more attention to her older sister,
rather than to her. The lack of contact had once left Terezi in a form of
depression. Not the actual disorder, but a form of sadness swept over her. It
was in middle school, Rose remembered, where Terezi began wearing jackets all
the time, rarely speaking, and her smile reducing to a crack on her visage
facing downwards. Once she met Karkat a few months back, she began smiling more
often, and became annoying loud. Although she still wore jackets.
 
Even though she had gotten better, Rose vowed to never forgive the mother who
would neglect her own child.
 
“Terezi Pyrope,” the detective responded.
 
“Ah, I see. Now that you mention it, Mrs. Pyrope, I do see the resemblance,”
Rose said, a smile playing on the tips of her lips. A fake smile, of course,
but it was a promising smile nonetheless. She was actually clenching her fists
under the table, seething in anger at the adult in front of her. How horrible
it is to see your one enemy in front of you and be unable to strike. However,
Rose had a better idea of how to continue with their passive strife. Rose
breathed out managing to keep a devious grin on her face.
 
“Please,” the detective said, mimicking the same smile. “Call me Redglare.”
 
***** Vriska, be okay *****
Monday; October 8, 2012 - 1:39 PM
Vriska,_be_okay ===>
Shit.
 
Hurts.
 
Like fuck.
 
I opened my eye to bright lights and a lot of white. The smell of the
vaccinated death and the faint, worried susurrations from rooms away distracted
my sanity. The drone of a machine familiar to me as though it were a noise
witnessed in every single Korean Drama someone would ever see. Beep. Beep.
Beep. It followed the beating of a heart, one that did not match the pace of my
own. I glanced left to see a curtain draped on plastic rings hanging from the
ceiling. I cast the curtain aside to squint upon another bed, occupied, for the
moment.
 
I bet my left arm that I am in a hospital, I jeered to myself, letting out a
breath that I was holding back. The fumes of death clogged my sense. Maybe it
was the blinding light, indicating the possibility of passing over. As though
certain Pearly Gates were opening before me. I blinked. Once. Twice. The light
refused to fade, and I doubted it ever would.
 
But it did. After a while, at least. My eye adjusted to the rays of life as I
turned to see Kanaya talking to a woman in a blue top, clipboard in hand. A
nurse? Doctor? Surgeon? One could never tell in this day and age. One thing is
for sure; I was in a hospital after all.
 
Curiosity of stinging pain caused me to lift up my shirt until the bottom of my
top scraped my diaphragm. Heavy bandages of white wrapped around my lower
abdomen, just below my belly button. I traced the pattern of the bandage later
letting my granacious fingertips loom up onto where my stomach would be.
 
Alongside the white protector's enclave were many scars I acquired from the
years of torture. The cuts and slashes proven deep by the difference in color
of skin. Some were dark, others light. Different sizes, shapes. From different
tools and weapons. Even if I did not die from getting my organs dragged out of
my body and twisted in certain angles, I still had the scars. Even if I lived
from back-stabbings and betrayals, the scars were still there. But I forgave, I
ignored. I didn't mind at all. The irony was that the only scars I cared about
were not visible.
 
When Kanaya began walking towards me, I put my shirt down and started getting
up.
 
“Not so fast, Vriska,” Kanaya said, stopping me in my tracks. “This may be
nothing compared to your life as a Troll, but we’re human now; our bodies
aren't as sturdy as they used to be.” I groaned, lying back down. You mean,
your body isn't as sturdy as it used to be, I thought with arrogance. “I barely
managed to convince them that I was your relative, Vriska. My mom is coming to
sign some papers, as well as take care of your hospital fee. You have to stay
her for another day, you can be released tomorrow,” she informed me. I was so
beset by the thought of staying at a hospital for the day, the thought of
ennui, that I reduced my brazen tactics to whining.
 
“Come on, Fussyfangs!” I said, stretching out each word. “I’m going to die from
boredom here! Then there wouldn't have been a point in bringing me here in the
first place!”
 
“Vriska, this is also for your safety,” Kanaya replied sighing. “Weren't you
just stabbed? The criminal could be out there somewhere!” Kanaya then stopped
and looked at me. “Did you see who did it?”
 
Of course I did! With my 20/20 eyesight, I could see everything, or was it 0/
20? The point is that I wasn’t going to tell her that. The reason Gamzee had
stabbed me was related to the trust he didn’t have in me. He had a plan for not
killing me and letting me live. I already proved to him that I had no pride to
uphold, so the doubt that I would reveal who tried to murder me should be
within him. Even if he let me live by accident, he is sure to have a backup
plan. Snitching on him won't do anything.
 
Which, of course, if any normal person was bullied, or stabbed, they should
automatically inform an adult. That is the just way of things for humans. Not
the right thing to do, but the correct. What Gamzee did to me was different.
 
Besides, I have better plans for him. Plans that would not work out if he were
in prison or under police supervision.
 
“Nope,” I told Kanaya rather flippantly, then added, “I absconded as soon as I
pulled the knife out of my abdomen. Now that I think about it, I probably
should not have done that because you cannot find the criminal without the
evidence!"
 
Quick word of advice: pulling a knife out of your body after being stabbed is
stupid. Do not do it. That knife is the only thing keeping your blood in your
body. Hands are great and all, but not the best plugs in the world.
 
"To be honest though, I didn't even notice that I was stabbed. I just felt an
itching sensation, and the next thing I knew, my attacker was missing and I was
bleeding. He probably threw it at me from a distance. It was a pretty insidious
tactic, if I do say so myself,” I shrugged, letting the lies tumble out of my
mouth.
 
“He?”
 
“No offense, but what I learned in my time on Earth is that human females are
so weak! I just assumed that the one who stabbed was male.”
 
Kanaya raised an eyebrow. "Weak? Really? Do you really think so?"
 
She caught me, as always. I was one of those human females, and even before, I
saw Jade and Rose kick ass. Females are badass. They are so majestic and can be
just as violent as males. I fight like a girl? Oh no, you don't understand;
that is a compliment, my friend. I would not want to fight like a man, or the
by the stereotype of a man - overestimated, causing my opponent to go all out.
No, I would never want that. Underestimation; now that is the way to win.
 
"Yeah," I replied. She seemed to believe me, as she didn’t say another word.
 
I looked about the room. The nurse/surgeon/doctor woman was not around. The
person on the bed beside mine was in a deep sleep. As I continued to examine
the room, I felt something was missing. I was stabbed, but why weren't there
cops around me? One would expect them to rush in at the mere mention of my
revival. Their job depends on catching the man who tried killing me.
 
However, that was not the only thing amiss.
 
“Where’s our gamine friend?” I asked. I heard Kanaya scoff for the first time
in a while, which got me smiling.
 
“I do not understand why you keep persisting that she is gamine, Vriska,”
Kanaya sighed.
 
I stifled a laugh. "You got to admit that she does have that air around her." I
grinned even wider. "Isn't that why you're attracted to her?"
 
"I am not attracted to her!" she exclaimed. "And there are plenty of other
reasons why Rose is worth the attraction," she murmured. She looked away so I
wouldn't catch her blushing.
 
No one could escape a spider's web, though. "You sure about that, Fussyfangs?"
I mused.
 
"Yes I am sure, Vriska." I smirked.
 
"Kanaya and Rose…" I began in a singsong tone. "Sitting in a tree…"
 
"Vriska, don't you dare!"
 
"K-i-s-s-i-n-g."
 
"Vriska you are being ridiculous."
 
"First comes love."
 
"Vriska."
 
"Then comes marriage."
 
"Vriska, I am serious."
 
"Then comes a baby, in a baby carriage!"
 
"Vriska!"
 
At that moment, I wanted to laugh. Laugh as hard as I could until my guts
spilled all over the floor. Until my sins laughed themselves away. Until I did
not have to worry about saving lives, winning games, or dying. Until I felt the
need to not be the hero. Until I could finally pass that job to someone else.
 
Glancing at Kanaya, I knew I couldn't leave it up to her. Not because she
wasn't able. No. She'd do a better job than I. I did not want her to feel the
pain I felt. The sadness or the betrayal. I wanted her to be happy. That was my
goal, I guess. Making everyone happy. One hormonal teen at a time.
 
When Rose entered the room, I decided to start my master plan.
 
“You’re quite braggadocios when it comes to Rose,” I said aloud. “Why don’t you
just ask her out already?”
 
The look on Kanaya's face was killer. Just as much as the look on Rose's.
 
“There is no evidence that Rose thinks of me in that way." Her voice then
became the wind on a warm spring afternoon. “Besides, it would not be fair for
her,” she looked down. I smiled at Rose, who just stood there. I chuckled,
getting out of bed.
 
“Where are you-”
 
“Bathroom,” I told her and walked to where Rose was. I gave her a smile as I
passed her. Kanaya turned and spotted the same flower. When they both just
stared at each other, I gave Rose a little push from behind.
 
“Geez, Lalonde,” I smirked. “I thought you were better than your sister. At
least go have one of those grandiloquent conversations with Fussyfangs if you
refuse to give her a fucking hug! Jegus.” Rose looked at Kanaya, then back at
me. Mouthing a ‘thank you’ towards my direction, Rose turned and walked closer
to Kanaya.
 
"It's been awhile, huh?" Rose began, likely cursing at herself for such a weak
starting.
 
"Yeah," Kanaya said, clearing her throat, not minding the ungraceful start.
"Too long."
 
One look in Kanaya's eyes and I saw her pain and longing disappear. Okay, yeah,
it was still there. One encounter would not disperse her sadness. Nevertheless,
I did see her expression change. Her eyes cleared, glowing that ominous green.
Her longing did not disappear, but it did change into something else. Something
even more so powerful.
 
How long has she remembered her love for Rose, how long has she loved her, and
did not do anything about it? I was thankful that now, she had the chance. She
could be free. She was that lonely dove flying above everyone else and now, she
found a friend, a lover, someone who could be beside her.
 
I was half-glad it was not me, but somewhere deep inside, I felt as though I
lost something precious.
 
Their little love fest looked so sweet that I was about to barf. So, of course,
being the flippant motherly figure that I was, I left the room. This is what I
keep telling myself, anyway. A crow like me did not belong with doves like
them.
 
As I was walking through the hospitals hallway, I decided to investigate. I
checked my pocket for a phone, realizing that I did not have one on me. Guess I
left in the other room. I looked around for a clock, hoping that the time
itself would not sneak up on me. When I found one, I saw that it was about
thirty minutes after school ended. How long was I asleep? Did Rose and Kanaya
ditch to come and help me? I couldn't remember anything from between being
stabbed to my ride in the ambulance. I scratched my head to remember any
details, but for some reason, I couldn't. I felt that I forgot something
important.
 
Eh, it was probably nothing.
 
In my moments of distraction, I accidentally bumped into someone. Hard. I
stumbled backwards, and so did she. I winced. Looks like Kanaya was right about
being a human. Although I went through hell in the past, that was, well, in the
past. Now I was human. I had a weaker body, and I was just stabbed. I opened my
mouth to apologize, but as I looked up, I noticed a familiar face.
 
“Ouch sorry- Oh hey! Vriska!” No. I lied. I was probably mistaken. Not
familiar, whatsoever. It was a random encounter with a girl who, for some
reason, knew my name. Totally random. I bet I was wearing a name-tag at the
moment or something. “What are you doing here? Did something happen?"
 
"Uh, no. No. Nothing. I'm just here to uh…" I glanced around for a liable
excuse. I was wearing a hospital gown that I hope she would not notice. "…visit
someone."
 
"Really! Me too!" The girl replied excitedly. "Did you come to see Calliope?
Follow me, she’s this way!” She grabbed my arm and began leading me the way
from which I came.
 
I blinked. Her blonde hair danced as she happily skipped through the halls. A
smile danced on her lips the same way her hips danced on her body. A single
strand of hair jumped up and down as to match her enthusiasm. For the second
time in my life, I stuttered.
 
“Um..." I squinted at the sober young girl. "…Roxy?”
***** Vriska, listen to the authors’ commands! *****
Monday; October 8, 2012 - 3:33 PM
Vriska,_listen_to_the_authors’_commands! ===>
What? Fuck no; I am the author. I will never listen to your commands! I am
Vriska Serket, for crying out loud! I listen to nobody! Well, maybe I might
lend an ear to some people...
 
Shut up, okay? There are some exceptions! Don't judge me.
 
“Yo, girl!” Roxy said smiling. She then tilted her head. “Is something wrong?”
 
“No... Well....” I thought of a way to break it to her, but when I couldn’t
pick out the right words, I just put it bluntly. “You’re not drunk.” She
laughed.
 
“Yeah, Calliope said that drinking so much is bad for me, so I try my best to
stay sober around her to make her happy!” She smiled so wide that it was almost
illegal. “You should come see her! She wanted to talk to you about stuff!”
 
“Oh, well...”
 
“Come on! Don’t be shy now; you’re her sister, right?” What. “She said the
reason you don’t visit her is because you just moved here and you don’t know
her room number. Here I’ll show you!” She grabbed my arm and dragged me back
into the room I was once residing in. Rose and Kanaya found out about Calliope
before I did. They seemed to be engaged in a healthy conversation with my so
called sister.
 
“Hey Calliope! I found your sister!” Roxy said dragging me into the room. “Oh,
hey Rose, and... Kanaya? Oh wow, I haven’t seen you in a while. What’s up? Did
you all come with Vriska to see Calliope?”
 
“Well...” Rose started but both Kanaya and I stopped her.
 
“Yes,” we both said at the same time. I looked at her and she raised a brow.
 
“I thought that visiting Calliope will boost her moral. That she would be happy
being around those who are her friends and remember- I mean knew her in the
past,” Kanaya said. I snickered, but then gave her thumbs up for her nice save.
Calliope noticed it as well.
 
“Yep! We all knew each other in the past! Vriska then moved away and I was left
here alone...” Calliope looked sad. Either she was an amazing actor, or she was
telling the truth. Either scenario made me uneasy. “When she found out about my
illness, she rushed over here! I was shocked when I saw her as well.”
 
“So you came to Skaia Cafe to find her,” Rose said, as if everything was
starting to make sense.
 
“Yeah. That is exactly why I came to the café,” I repeated, looking at Kanaya,
then at Calliope. They both shrugged.
 
“Then how do you guys know Gamzee?” Roxy asked, sitting down next on Calliope's
bed. I copied her example, but rather, sat down on a vacant seat. Both Calliope
and Kanaya stood silent; they relied on my lies.
 
“Gamzee was my friend in the past. I don’t know if Calliope and Kanaya know
him; I never introduced him to them,” I said.
 
“Oh.” I was so glad that Roxy didn’t know me that well to doubt me.
 
“Well then, Vriska!” Roxy said standing up. “I assume that you are responsible
for taking care of Calliope as a guardian figure?”
 
“Are you sure it isn't supposed to be the other way around? I mean, she is
older than me,” I told her.
 
“Wait, what?” Rose asked in shock. "You’re a freshman?"
 
“I thought it was obvious, why?”
 
“You’re just...” I could still look down at Rose even though I was sitting
down.
 
“I guess the word is tall?” Roxy looked at Rose.
 
“I believe that ‘tall’ may be an appropriate term in this situation.” Rose
nodded in approval.
 
“I think you all are just short,” I said pursing my lips. Calliope gave out a
laugh and Kanaya smiled. Rose and Roxy both gave me a smirk.
 
"I meant supermodel tall, you know, the good kind," Roxy said quickly.
 
Rose on the other hand jeered. "Even if it's 'supermodel tall', it's still
tall, and there is never a 'good kind' of tall."
 
"Fuck you, too, Rose."
 
"Just name the time."
 
"Anyway," Roxy said, elongating the word. "Where did you guys go?" 
 
"Go?" Rose inquired.
 
"You know, you guys all ditched class today."
 
Calliope looked at us in shock. "You guys ditched class?"
 
"They ditched not me," I reaffirmed, crossing my arms.
 
"What?"
 
"It's not considered ditching if you don't even make it to school."
 
"I'm pretty sure that still goes under the criteria of ditching," Roxy said,
raising a brow.
 
"Well, I didn't go to school at all, but they did, in the beginning, I'm sure."
 
Was I sure? No. Besides, with what Roxy said, it made sense to think that
Kanaya and Rose were at school to begin with. I then remembered that I left my
phone somewhere, and looking back on the desk next to the bed I was once in, I
got up and grabbed it. Flipping it open, I saw I had five missed calls and ten
missed texts. I did not bother reading them, but I did check the time when
Kanaya got my last text. 7:55 A.M. Just about the time the school bell rings.
 
Roxy then noticed my attire. "You were in the hospital? Why?"
 
"I decided to eat a spider." She raised a brow. "I choked on it."
 
Rose snickered. "The irony." I flipped her off.
 
"You choked on a spider?" Roxy repeated, in a tone that said she did not
believe me.
 
"What, do you want to see the spider as proof?"
 
Roxy sighed, slightly disturbed. "No. I'm… good."
 
"You hesitated."
 
"Oh, hush!" She then turned to Kanaya and Rose. "Anyway, the problem isn't
Vriska. Few people connected your ditching with hers, but rumors are spreading
about a potential fight. Where did you two go?"
 
"We were going out…" Kanaya paused, glancing over at me to see me smile, but
before she realized my intentions, I continued with the same pace.
 
"On a date."
 
The cheeks on Rose's face turned the brightest of red. Kanaya, too, was
blushing, but with the red of her face came the flashing of anger from her
eyes. I took a step away from her, nonchalantly grabbing the nearest form of
protection: a spoon.
 
"You guys are dating?" Calliope asked, tone innocent.
 
"N-no, we're not," Rose stuttered, looking back at Kanaya, who seemed upset by
Rose's words. "I mean, I don't think we are…?" I laughed at their awkwardness.
 
"There you have it Roxy," I concluded. "You're sister had a thing for
Fussyfangs and you never knew it." I glanced over at Calliope. "Just as how she
didn't know you had a thing for Calliope."
 
"God damn it, Vriska," Roxy scoffed, cheeks flushing the same shade of Rose. "I
was being serious here."
 
I shrugged. "Good luck staying serious." I looked over at Calliope who was
hiding her face in her pillow.
 
So cute.
 
Then I stopped for a moment. 'So cute', did I really just think that? Do I ever
think that way? I couldn't remember. Maybe I thought people were cute before,
like, I don't know, Nicolas Cage? He was great, I think. I racked my mind over
the thought of who I once was, but I was unable to remember.
 
I've seen Con Air, years ago, but at that moment, I couldn't remember what it
was about.
 
It wasn't the first time I had forgotten something. When coming into the human
world at first, I knew I had a goal. I was supposed to survive until the next
time loop, which occurs on October 25. That is it, I believe, that is the only
thing I had to worry about. Nothing else mattered. Yet, by my fifteenth jump, I
just went with the flow of things, but then I found another goal. I wanted to
make all the players of the game happy. Since there are many players, I know it
would take a while. I believed starting with the seniors would be my best
option. Maybe I will finish by the time they graduate from high school. Maybe I
could put up a goal and try to make all my friends happy by the time of my
jump. All my friends. All of them.
 
But you need to believe me, that I really didn't remember. I do now, of course,
but back then, I forgot. I forgot the real reason I decided to challenge time,
and to be honest I wish I never remembered.
 
I looked at the time, suddenly feeling strange. I shouldn't be here. I don't
belong. It was as though someone took over my mind and was installing thoughts
within me. How ironic that must seem. I decided to ignore it as a fake smile
found its way onto my lips. I stood up. I decided to worry about one thing at a
time; making sure everyone was happy.
 
“Well, it was nice seeing you guys,” I stretched. “But I’ve got some irons to
take care of."
 
"Irons?" one inquired.
 
"Guess where they have to go?” I saw Kanaya face palm as Calliope asked.
 
“Where?” I grinned.
 
“In the fire.”
***** Bang *****
Timeline 3: Thursday; October 25, 2012- 9:13 P.M.
Bang ===>
She tripped, knee scraping the hard, concrete floor of an unknown highway
leading to God-knows-where. The pain, although excruciating, did not stop her
from pulling herself off the ground. She dragged aching muscles in the only
direction she knew of - forward.
 
"You okay?" shouted the boy in front of her. His head turned to the side, just
enough to see the girl, the same fear written in his eyes. Yet, his breath
hitched to the malicious sight just behind them. His cheeks rose, his eyes
filled with tears.
 
The girl managed positive reply through heavy gulps for air, as though she just
surfaced from an aquatic biome. Might as well be the case as sweat drenched her
body. She decided to wear a tight outfit to show off on her day out, an outfit
not accustomed to absorbing water. Or running. The cool breeze blowing on her
back sent shivers down her spine.
 
She ached from running for what seemed like hours; what will become hours as
their pursuer would not give up until they died. 
 
A bullet whizzed past her, the piercing of air was deafening not only to the
ear, but to the heart as well. The dramatic beats of adrenaline were
suffocating. She was grateful that the bullet missed her. If her head were only
inches away from its current spot, she wouldn't be running any longer.
 
Her gratefulness soon passed when the boy in front of her collapsed.
 
"Gamzee!" The girl cried, sliding down next to wounded boy. His fell face
first, the concrete abyss bruising his forehead and breaking his nose. She
turned him face up, one hand drenched in his blood.
 
"Go!" He wheezed. "Motherfucking run!"
 
He pushed her away and began choking on his own blood. She wanted to stay, to
help him. She shot a hesitant glance towards the darkness from which death
followed them. For once, she thought of putting herself over others.
 
"Catch up… with the rest." He coughed once, maybe twice, before another shot
rang the silent air.
 
Not another word.
 
She turned and ran, sprinting once again through the never-ending dark highway.
No cars in sight. No soul heard. Only the raucous steps of someone closing in
on her.
 
She tried to remember why this was happening. Did she do anything wrong? Did
her friends make any mistakes? Whose fault was it that, one by one, everyone
was dying? All fading away, right before her eyes. They were sights like these
that made her seek out blindness. But why could something so cruel happen to
such innocent souls?
 
She was a good student. Straight-A student, in fact, and she tried her best to
do more good than bad. She was even an upholder for justice in her school. Her
mother was a lawyer.
 
Her friends were not on the evil side either. One was a community service
hoarder, doing all the community service he could. Another worked at a shelter.
People who love animals cannot be bad people either. One was new. She invited
the new student with her to the fireworks she and her group were going to light
up for fun. Without expecting this madness, they planned it in the middle of
nowhere. That was when they heard the first shot.
 
Another bang caused her heart to shudder. Her breath hitched. Eyes widened.
This was the fifth bullet that cut through the dreadful cool breeze. She tried
her best not to let her thoughts wonder on whether that bullet hit another
target. The guilt was unbearable. Why Gamzee? Why not me?
 
Soon enough it was her turn.
 
The bullet hit her leg, dropping her like a sac of rocks falling over to prove
the theory of the gravitational pull. She felt her nose crush by connecting
with the ground. The pain sending throbbing waves throughout her body. She
began tasting blood as she lifted herself up in a push-up position, but that
was not the worst. Her leg danced with chaos when she tried to stand.
 
She heard the footsteps grow closer and closer. She began to crawl across the
highway, creating friction between the cold ground and her. Step by step, her
heartbeat raced uncontrollable, and she would soon as die from a heart attack
than from the monster catching up to her. She began to crawl faster, hoping to
reach the end of the highway, maybe reach a town, a car, or some sort of
organism that would assist her. She did not want to die. The idea of death was
the most frightening of them all.
 
Her fear did not stop Death from catching up to her.
 
The noise was louder and pain even more extreme than before. She grasped her
shoulder and the force of the bullet dropped her to the ground once again. I am
going to die, she grimaced thinking about all the dreams left unaccomplished.
 
The footsteps had stopped, which meant the monster was just behind her. If she
dies, the people in front of her, what would happen to them? She could not
stand thinking about more of her friends dying. She turned around to face her
pursuer, hoping that she could do something to stall.
 
Yet seeing inside the barrel of a gun destroyed her motivation. She started to
shake, shivering from both the cold air and fear. As she glanced up, to see the
maiden of her demise, her fear reached its peak. The person holding the gun was
the cruelest type of monster.
 
Her porcelain skill illuminated in the moonlight. Her only functional blue eye
stared right at the girl, daring and without emotion. Her blonde hair draped
over one side of her face, and she flipped it over, showing burned skin that
encased the top half of her left. However, the attraction she felt towards her
murderer was not what shocked her.
 
"…Vriska?" the girl gasped. "Is that you?"
 
The blonde smirked, sending goosebumps down the girl's back.
 
"But… why?"
 
"It's the only way to win."
 
"Win? Win what?"
 
Vriska looked away, and for the first time that night, the girl felt emotion in
the new student's eyes. It was a strange emotion, the girl decided, trying her
best to figure out the feelings behind the look. Vriska looked back, regaining
her cold posture. This time, she held the gun with no hesitation.
 
"You'll know soon enough."
 
She did not hear the last shot, nor did she feel it. All she felt was a feign
sense of betrayal, which became even more so grand as she began remembering
everything. The game, their loss, Vriska's sacrifice as well as her betrayal.
 
She looked upon the beautiful devil that stood on top of her. The cold glare
looking down at her was breathtaking, that in any other situation would led to
potential arousal. Moreover, as she felt herself fading away, she heard the one
thing she did not want to hear.
 
With a quavering whisper, she heard Vriska tone.
 
"I'm sorry."
***** Start with something cheesy *****
Chapter Notes
     Happy International Literacy Day!
Tuesday; October 9, 2012 - 4:13 P.M.
Start_with_something_cheesy ===>
"For some reason, I'm attracted to you."
 
The smaller boy looked up from his book, smile as sweet as the strawberry ice
cream he had moments ago, some of the cream left on his pale lips.
 
"You're not so bad yourself, GG," he teased, eyes scanning the taller boy's
body. Gamzee chuckled, proud that with every encounter Tavros' confidence was
improving. By next month, he may begin loving himself, Gamzee thought with
bliss. Until then, he would have to stick with prompting the smaller boy for
conversations.
 
"Whatchya got there?" Gamzee inquired, sitting down next to Tavros. The smaller
boy grinned, kicking off his shoes and draping them over Gamzee's lap, his back
leaning on the sofa's armrest. He waved the book's cover in Gamzee's range of
sight.
 
"Slam poetry." His taste in literature amused Gamzee. He beckoned for the book
and Tavros placed it in his hands. He slid a finger on the page Tavros was on
so that it would not disappear among the mass of words.
 
On that one page, there were varieties of poems. One was on a mother, another
on teenage dreams. He flipped the page to encounter more elicit terminology.
The colorful words among these pages translated to fingerprints leaving traces
on thighs. Taking over the world. And Gamzee's favorite, a guy claiming that he
will be in others thoughts for centuries. This is what amused Gamzee. The
extend of slam poetry ranged from finding your true self, onto hilarious antics
about a guy and his first time.
 
He managed to hand the book back to Tavros. Not wanting him to turn to the next
page, as soon as Tavros grabbed the book, Gamzee pulled him in for a peck.
Tavros smiled when Gamzee pulled away, but as he turned back to his book,
Gamzee pouted.
 
"Make me some food?" he asked the boy. Tavros glanced at Gamzee, raising a
brow. They ate just an hour ago at Skaia café, on their way to Gamzee's place
from school. Yet the boy did not judge his lovers appetite, as he stood,
putting the book down with no consideration of losing his spot.
 
"Anything you craving, GG?"
 
"You mean, besides you?"
 
"T-that's for dessert," he tried out, later feeling confident of his inviting
words. "Dinner is strictly protein."
 
Gamzee smiled. "I'll take steak, then. Well-cooked."
 
Tavros laughed. "It'll be right up," he quirked, walking out of the living room
towards the kitchen.
 
Gamzee sighed into the cushions of the couch as he let himself drop onto the
warm spot where Tavros was sitting. He turned on his back. His stare, blank,
burning a hole through the ceiling. The cool, white surface of foundation
entrancing him in thought. It has been over a hundred- no; maybe even over a
thousand- timelines in which he jumped through. He is still trying his best to
figure out how to win this horrible game. My name is Gamzee, he noted. Games
should come easy for him, and to be honest, many do. Yet, this game did not
qualify on his list.
 
Vriska. He thought the word as poison in his veins, unable to forget her smirk,
her scowl, and her murderous intent. He placed a hand under his shirt, scanning
scars with fingertips. They were scars he couldn't remember receiving, but knew
that they were at her hands.
 
The amount of memories installed in him made him forget. Amnesia is what
doctors called it, when his family would talk about a 'mother' he never knew
of.
 
With every timeline, everything became more confusing. Did he love Tavros? Was
this all just a part of the game? Maybe he knew, once upon a time, but now, he
had forgotten.
 
The deal he and Vriska made to Lord English was the cause of this. One would
roam the world making everyone remember, and the other with the opposite
intent. It had been so long that Gamzee could not remember what his side of the
bargain was. He doubted Vriska knew either. The only thing he remembered was
that on October 2, 2012, this timeline began. On that same day, he dreamt of
their battle with Lord English. Memories placed within him, for sure, as though
an opening cut-scene of a game.
 
It was all a game and they were players within it. Vriska and he only. Everyone
else was the standard NPC; some were even the monsters they had to hunt.
Unfortunately, both he and Vriska were of different factions.
 
The doorbell sent echoes through the halls, catching Gamzee by surprise.
Tavros' parents would not be around to pick him up until late. Gamzee's so-
called father and brother were out as well. His father was at work while his
brother walking the earth as some sort of zombie, looking for someone, or
something. Nor were they expecting company, as far as Gamzee knew, only he and
Tavros were hanging out. He heard the boy call from the kitchen.
 
"Gamzee, could you get that?"
 
Gamzee pushed himself off the couch. "Yeah, I got it."
 
He walked towards the front door as it rang once more. His heart raced as he
walked closer to the door. For some reason the ringing reminded him of
something. His heart was convincing him to walk away, as though it felt
something malicious to come. This shocked Gamzee. He didn't fear the unknown.
 
Yet that door. Definitely, the door scared him. The anticipation of the unknown
beyond that door is what caused his heart to stick itself to his lungs. That
fear of loss. Yes, that same door caused his demise.
 
He tried to remember the date, thinking it was too early for the end. He faced
the tall door, standing for a moment as the ringing continued. He calmed
himself. Breathing in. Breathing out. Once more. Maybe once again.
 
He turned the lock to the right. He dragged the door chain off its hold,
dropping it, letting it dangle from the casing.
 
His hand stayed on the doorknob for a few seconds, reluctant to turn. He heard
the ringing stop for a moment, which calmed his heart. His beats later burst
when his visitor began knocking.
 
With a deep breath, he pulled opened the door.
***** Bzzzzz *****
Tuesday; October 9, 2012 – 2:35 P.M.
Bzzzzz ===>
 
My pants vibrated in sixth period.
 
Or, well, my phone did.
 
I squirmed at the feeling of device vibrating beneath my ass. I chose to ignore
it. I did not want to risk the teacher catching me and having the phone
confiscated. I still needed that device regardless of how outdated Motorola
flips are in 2012. Just ignore. Who would text me during class anyway?
 
As I thought that, as though to spite, I felt another vibration. The people
sitting around me turned to detect the source: the vibration felt louder the
second time through. I straightened my back and glared at my teacher hoping a
third vibration wouldn't occur.
 
Ah, math. So interesting. The importance of imaginary numbers and decoding
messages by using matrices. I am just ecstatic about such adventurous topics.
What a journey to discover a mathematical equation to solve how a person’s
father can simultaneously be a brother and a son. He proves, by math, that
Hamlet's grandson is Shakespeare's grandfather. That he himself is the ghost of
his own father.
 
Wow, even bringing English into this. Biology also seems involved. Who said
math was a stand-alone subject? It relates to everything!
 
Boredom aside, the class seemed to follow my example of falling asleep. They
were all so diligent a few days ago, but now, more than half the class looked
near death. For instance, the tall, curly headed boy in front of me had his
head down. Possibly asleep. I established him as Kurloz just days ago when he
awoke and turned to pass a paper back to me. Cronus sat next to him, a window
seat, drumming his pencil and humming softly.
 
Turning to the right of the room, one could see Roxy and Jane passing notes,
giggling, and such shenanigans. Shenanigans overlooked by the teacher. They
were the only two that the teacher felt infatuated with. The only ones who
would ask questions and engage in conversation. At first I thought they were
kissing-up, a technique I do not, by any means, disapprove of. Later I realized
that it is in their nature to make friends. They sat diagonally from each
other, Jane in the front near the door, Roxy on the second seat of the next
row.
 
I glanced three seats behind Roxy. Empty. I remember glancing over one day and
seeing a girl, the same line as I, doodling. She would glance over at two guys
who sat three seats in front of me, side by side, then look down at her notes,
scribbling furiously. I swear I saw her drool at one point. Now there was no
such girl. I had her name down as Nepeta.
 
That was, at least, the formation I had jotted down on my seating chart days
ago. Different from last timeline, but not as inconvenient. If something went
down during school hours, they all were at spots with an easy escape. Jane,
Roxy had the door. Kurloz, Cronus, and I could possible survive jumping out of
the window. Not as dangerous as it sounds since all the math, and science,
classes are on the first floor. Second floor had the English and history. The
(newly?) constructed activity floor, the third floor, had an assortment of
elective classes. There was also the activity building behind the school that
few classes used. Through investigation, I found that the only classes there
are the outdoor electives that didn’t use a room often.
 
Oh, and the jeered ‘Disciplinary Club'. An elective class that dubbed itself a
club. That was the reason behind the jest.
 
My phone vibrated once again, dismissing my thoughts. My curiosity got the
better of me as I began to reach for my back pocket. I felt the flat surface of
my phone and I started to pull the device out.
 
Of course, before I was rudely interrupted.
 
“Vriska? Can you come up to the board and answer this?”
 
To say the least, the teacher surprised me. The class was as well. I realized
that karma still haunted me. The teacher, never this whole year, called on a
student to answer a question on the board. I was his first victim.
 
Phone in hand, I decided best to shove it in my jacket pocket. Yet, as I was
about to go up to the board, the bell rang, ending class. I raised a brow, but
the teacher shrugged.
 
“Have a good day, everyone.”
 
Such teacher.
 
I stood, grabbing and throwing my backpack on my desk to pack up. Notebook,
binder, pencil, calculator, erasers, all slammed in.
 
“Hey, Vriska!”
 
I glanced up to see a nuisance. I mean a friend? Semi-friend?
 
Again. I found thoughts that weren’t my own. I stretched, glancing around to
see if some on with mind controlling powers was nearby. I didn’t notice anybody
of the sort besides myself. Well, past me, since I couldn’t control minds
anymore.
 
I think.
 
“Uh, hello?” I questioned. To keep me on your side or to keep up your image?
No. I shook my head. Not everyone is like that.
 
“What’s up?”
 
Tempted to respond ceiling. “Putting stuff away. You?”
 
“Nothing much! Schools out for the day.”
 
No smell of booze. Check.
 
Lack of quirks. Semi check?
 
“Really exiting, don’t you think?”
 
In dress code. Check.
 
Wait. What?
 
“Uh, sure,” I shrugged. Not well versed in small talk. “Homework, though.”
 
“True.” She nodded. For some reason, I felt confused. Something was off. The
girl noticed it as well. “You alright, Vriska?”
 
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Just thinking.” I scratched the back of my head. What was going
on?
 
“Thinking?” She was probably inquiring about what was on my mind.
 
“Yeah. The thing you don’t do.” The words rolled off my tongue by habit. I
cringed. Something was definitely off today.
 
No self-control.
 
I expected her to frown, but instead she laughed. “You got some sass in you,
girl.” Dumbfounded, I went along with it.
 
“Ha, yeah…”
 
Murderer.
 
“Good luck thinking, Vriska!” She patted me on the back. “I’ll see you!”
 
Murder her.
 
“Yeah. See you,” I called behind her as she frolicked out of the classroom. I
felt sick so I slumped back on my chair. Kurloz was still asleep in front of
me, so I nudged him.
 
He sat up dazed and turned to me. He tilted his head to one side, bangs
following. I pointed at the clock behind me with my thumb. His eyes followed,
then head nodded, understanding. He stood up, offering me a hand. I place my
hand on my desk helping myself up. He, once again, tilted his head. You okay?
He seemed to ask. I waved. I’ll be fine. He, too, patted me, but on my head, as
though to show off his height advantage. He then turned and walked away.
 
I was the last to leave the room.
 
Students filled the halls with chattering voices. Openings of lockers and the
connection of metal-to-metal when slammed shut. Steps filled with excitement,
some quick passed, others lagged. I categorized mine as fast-paced. Steps that
indicated the desire to escape. The chance to get the freedom long misplaced.
 
Yet I paused when I saw something out of place from the corner of my eye. I
glanced on one of the walls. There were no lockers on this wall. Instead, a
display case stood illuminating an assortment of trophies ranging from small to
large. Third place to first. Names scripted on the bottoms of the trophies, the
year, school name, along with a title. They remained unmoved. Not disturbed by
the raging tumult of children, nor by the inspirational posters pasted on the
glass casing.
 
I narrowed my eyes, squinting, to read off one of the names when I was suddenly
push backwards. I managed to keep upright, bringing my foot down at the right
second. Gravity did not spare my phone as it flew out of my jacket pocket and
clattered onto the floor. The person who had hit me quickly reached down and
grabbed my phone handing it to me with guilt-written eyes.
 
Don’t worry. Motorola flip.
 
Was what I wanted to say.
 
“Watch it,” I scoffed, snatching the phone from his hand. He was definitely
taller than me, but I could take him. Probably.
 
“Sorry,” he began, about to prostrate in apology when his eyes widened in
realization. “Hey, are you the new girl?”
 
New girl? Is that what they’re calling me?
 
“Uh, new?”
 
“Yeah, the girl who couldn’t come to school because she was in the hospital?”
He slicked his hair back and smiled in a way that tried to spell he meant no
harm. A smile sharks would wear.
 
“I guess?” I shrugged, trying to end the conversation with indifference.
 
It didn’t work out that way.
 
“Oh, sweet!” he seemed excited like a kid receiving a new toy for Christmas.
“I’m Cronus, by the way.”
 
Yeah. I know.
 
His smile didn’t waver, and he was being too kind. Not the type of benevolence
shown as common courtesy, but the amiable façade shown to get someone to do
something for you.
 
I wanted no part of it, but I was curious about the trophies. This is the first
time I have noticed them, and I've jumped through over a hundred timelines. Yet
this is the first timeline that there were trophies.
 
“Vriska,” I responded, showing a similar smile.
 
“Vriska…” he pronounced. He seemed to question the origin, but then presumably
gave up. “That’s a cool name for a chick.”
 
“Thanks,” I forced myself to say. I felt like vomiting at this kind act. Can’t
I force him to answer my questions?
 
“You a freshman?” I nodded and he straightened his back. “Cool, I’m a senior!
You’re in my math class right? You must be smart then: a freshman in Algebra 2.
I mean, not unheard of, but still cool.”
 
“I guess,” I shrugged off his compliment. Weak ass compliments like those can’t
tame me. Try harder Cronus. Where are the picking-up-girl techniques I heard
you had?
 
“If you have any questions, feel free to ask!” he offered, trying to keep up
conversation.
 
His mistake.
 
“I do, actually,” I said, surprising him. I pointed at the trophies. “What are
these?”
 
He seemed alarmed, a face that spelled: couldn’t you have picked an easier
question?
 
“Trophies?” he tried.
 
I rephrased my question. “Yes, but, what purpose do they serve?”
 
“Well, uh, I’m not so sure myself,” he concluded. “I don’t remember them being
there.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal. To him, at least.
 
“To be honest,” he continued. “I don’t remember much about this school.
Everything feels kind of hazy. Almost… fake?” He looked confused for a moment,
before laughing shyly. “I guess I’m being weird by saying that, huh?”
 
I shook my head. “Not as weird as others make me seem,” I reassured. He laughed
once again.
 
“Then we ‘weird’ people should stick together.” Crap. I almost fell for it.
 
“Oh, uh, thanks for the offer, but…”
 
“What? Come on! We’re the same, right? It won’t be too bad,” he said, trying to
convince me.
 
I smiled as sweetly as I could. Lies, I know. “I’m not really interested.
Thanks for the offer though-”
 
“What? Why not? Is there something wrong with me?”
 
I cringed. Oh, you have no idea.
 
“No, nothing, I’m just not interested,” I tried to say as innocently as
possible. He didn’t buy it.
 
“So you really are as big of a bitch that people say you are,” he retorted
angrily. Great. This is what I get for being kind.
 
No more, Ms. Nice Serket. Shit is about to go down.
 
“Look, Cronus-”
 
“Is something wrong, Cronus?”
 
Why is it when shit is about to go down, someone comes by and ruins it for me?
Not fair. That Karma is getting really lame right about now. Although, I will
admit this was for the best.
 
Cronus looked down at Terezi and Rose who had intervened at the right time. I
glanced at Rose who placed a hand on my shoulder, then at Terezi, who looked as
though she were about to attack Cronus.
 
“Nothing! Vriska and I were just talking,” he laughed. “Right, Vriska?” His
eyes were begging for forgiveness, even more so than before.
 
Well, he was Kanaya’s brother, this time around…
 
I shrugged. “Whatever.”
 
He took that a signal to run. “Yeah! Well, I will see you around, Vriska!” He
turned and walked away without waiting for my response.
 
Rose looked at me expectantly.
 
“Thanks,” I murmured.
 
“Sorry, did you say something, Vriska?” Rose quipped. I groaned.
 
“Rose,” Terezi shushed her with one word. Damn. Newfound respect. “You’re
welcome, Vriska.”
 
We stood there for moments, awkwardly staring at each other. She looked like
she wanted to say more. I decided it was high time to make her speak up.
 
“What’s up, Terezi?”
 
She glanced at Rose alarmed, then back at me, trying to keep a cool face. She
failed.
 
“What do you mean? Nothing is wrong!” she answered nervously. I raised a brow.
 
“Really?”
 
She looked over at Rose again, who mimicked the same expression as I.
 
“It’s nothing…”
 
“You helped me,” I said. “I rather not stay in debt.”
 
“You don’t have to worry! I don’t help people expecting things in return.”
 
“Good news for you, today I’m being generous, so neither do I.”
 
She looked defeated. “You’re different.”
 
I was taken aback. “That is what’s bothering you?”
 
“Yeah,” she nodded. “I don’t know. I feel weird around you, Vriska. It’s not
hate, but I can’t say I like you either? I mean, no offence, but you’re a
jerk.”
 
I shrugged. “It’s a quirk of mine.” Rose grinned.
 
“Maybe you are infatuated with her, Terezi. I wonder if it is the mysterious
powers of love,” Rose joked. At least, I hoped she was.
 
When I looked at Terezi’s face, I noticed it turning a shade of red. My face
was soon dyed a similar blush.
 
“Uh, so what were you and Cronus talking about?” Terezi asked, quickly changing
the subject. Nice move.
 
I, once again, pointed at the trophies. “What’s the story behind these?”
 
Rose looked at the trophies, showing the same puzzled expression. “I’m not
sure? I don’t remember them here before.” She looked at Terezi.
 
“Oh, I’ve seen them around here before,” she responded. “I just don’t remember
how long they’ve been here.” She approached the casing and stared at the
trophies. Rose did the same.
 
“The scribed lettering is illegible,” Rose commented, fascinated by the new
discovery.
 
“I guess this calls for an investigation!” Terezi cackled. 
 
“Good luck with that,” I asserted. I then realized how long I was standing in
that spot, wondering the whereabouts of trophies that are not related to the
plot in any way or form. What do they say anyway? I squint at one, once again,
hoping I wouldn’t be interrupted this time.
 
Vriska Serket. I blinked and read over it again.
 
Vriska Serket.
 
I glanced over at the second one.
 
Once again: Vriska Serket.
 
That couldn’t be right. I looked at the year, and all said the same date.
October 25, 2012.
 
Title: Lone survivor.
 
Another: Murderer.
 
King of the Hill.
 
“…iska?”
 
I realized they were referring to me.
 
“You okay, Vriska?” Terezi asked, worried.
 
“Oh, yeah,” I said. “Just rea- trying to read the names.”
 
“Any luck?” Rose inquired.
 
“Nope,” I lied. I looked back at the trophies. My name upon the majority. The
others bore the name Gamzee Makara.
 
I sighed. This is all too much for one day.
 
“You sure you’re fine, Vriska?” Rose asked, concerned.
 
I shrugged. “A little tired.”
 
“Oh, then you should hurry home,” Terezi advised. I nodded agreeing with her
offer.
 
“Then I’ll see you guys.” They nodded.
 
“See you around,” Rose waved.
 
“Good night,” Terezi said.
 
I turned and walked away. I was out of the school when I remembered my text. A
part of me did not want to view it, but some other part commanded me to. I took
out the phone and flipped it open.
 
There were no new messages.
 
Instead, there were three notifications from an app. An app named SGRUB.
 
I stared at my phone, not moving from my spot. The app was running. It had been
running ever since sixth period.
 
Alarmed, I closed my phone. I eventually reopened it. SGRUB. I opened the app.
 
Mission Status:
View | Cancel
 
I clicked on ‘view’. The screen changed to a countdown to October 25. It also
showed a status bar with a percentage. Underneath were two categories: Quests
available and Quests completed.
 
Was Lord English trying to fuck with me? I never heard of a quest system
before. This is the first time I’ve noticed it, at least. The two notifications
I had were from each category. I pressed Quest Completed first.
 
Quests Completed > Quest # 1 completed, survive murder attempt. Reward:
Friendship.
 
What a load of bullshit, I thought. I almost fell for the unrealistic goals.
That is, until I realized, that no normal app would know that I was almost
killed. Nor would any normal app know that the reward I received was the
friendship exhibited only moments ago. I decided to look at the first category.
 
Available Quests> Quest # 2 Pending, Go to the yellow house on the block
adjacent to Skaia Café. Reward: Clarity.
 
I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to try. If this quest system were a part of the game,
the reward would be helpful. I pressed the quest.
 
Quest Available:
Accept|Cancel
 
I pressed accept, deciding to try the system out as I walked to my destination.
 
That is when shit really went down, but this time, there was no one there to
stop it.
 
End Notes
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